The Jacksonville Jaguars have been the laughingstock of the NFL for the last two seasons.
They have gone back-to-back seasons with the number one pick overall in the NFL Draft.
The team also had problems when they hired head coach Urban Meyer last year.
Problems were so bad with him and players that they would fire him before the 2021 season ended.
Trevor Lawrence didn’t impress many people in his rookie season either.
But with all of that in the past for the team, what are the three things that now give them a chance to win the AFC South?
3. They Have The Number One Pick In The Draft
While it might not seem like much, the number one pick could help the team draft someone they need in 2022.
The team already has their quarterback with Lawrence.
They could use help on the defensive side of the ball.
Some analysts have the Jaguars drafting edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan.
Should the @jaguars draft Aidan Hutchinson first overall? (via @gmfb) pic.twitter.com/5xnT2X7gMy
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 28, 2022
He is an explosive pass rusher that gives the team a major defensive advantage if they take him.
The Jaguars ranked 25th in pressures, with only 146 on the quarterback in 2021.
Hutchinson can easily help the team increase those amounts of pressures.
The added pressure on the quarterback can lead to offensive mistakes by their opponents.
In the games that Jacksonville won last season, it was their defense that set them up for those victories.
As the saying goes, defenses win championships.
2. Record Setting $175.3 Million In Offseason Spending
The Jaguars have gone big with contracts during the free agency period of the NFL offseason.
They spent a record-setting $175.3 million in guaranteed money on the players they signed.
That money went to receivers and protection for Lawrence in 2022.
Christian Kirk and Zay Jones are his two newest receivers.
Top ranked guard Brandon Scherff comes to Jacksonville for added protection.
Jaguars expected to sign 5-time Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/zXgEZdr6FK
— NFL (@NFL) March 14, 2022
Throwing the checkbook at these players could help a Jaguars team that struggled at every level last season.
It shows they want to win and they want to win now with this team.
1. The AFC South Isn’t That Strong Of A Division
While the Jaguars are making improvements to their team, that’s not the biggest thing in their favor.
The team will benefit from being in a division that isn’t as good as some might think it is.
Jacksonville has the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans to compete with in the division.
We know the Texans are going into a full rebuild.
The Colts have their fourth new starting quarterback since 2019.
They also blew a shot at the playoffs last year when they lost to the Jaguars.
The Titians finished at the top of the division and all the AFC last year, getting a first-round bye in the playoffs.
They are the team to beat, and it can happen for the Jaguars.
The Titans are going to be relying on Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry.
Henry is the biggest reason the Titans won the South last year.
However, he got injured during the season.
If Henry goes down again, the Jaguars won’t have much to overcome in the AFC South.
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