The Jacksonville Jaguars won easily over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 -- a necessary first step in dispelling the offseason narrative that the Jaguars will not be able to repeat their 2025 success.
Week 1 power rankings saw some analysts place Jacksonville into the top 10, though most were skeptical and saw the Jaguars as falling around the middle of the league. There were questions about the offensive line, the run game, and how the defense would perform without Devin Lloyd. The Browns were an easy opponent to defeat, but Jacksonville still did so decisively.
Did it make a difference in Week 2's power rankings? Read on.
Nate Davis, USA Today: #8 (+6)
Among the many reasons the Jags, who already sit alone in first place as they embark on their AFC South title defense, should
get a little more respect is the edge duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker … even if it's not the best one in their division.
Conor Orr, SI.com: #9
I think we’re probably still underestimating how violent, efficient and nasty this Jaguars team can get. An opener against the Cleveland Browns is always good for the soul, but I’d venture to guess Deshaun Watson would not have looked that bad against a middle-tier opponent.
Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports: #11 (+1)
Yeah, yeah, Liam Coen’s team looked great. Trevor Lawrence looked unstoppable. I’ll be way more impressed if the Jags do this against anyone other than the Browns.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: #13
Did we really learn anything about the Jaguars by watching them beat a hapless Browns team? Still, props to them for jumping out to a 31-0 lead and putting it on cruise control behind a great game from Trevor Lawrence and an impressive showing from the defense. Now, the schedule turns brutal with five straight games against teams with Super Bowl hopes.
Michael DiRocco, ESPN: #13 (+4)
Pregnon allowed only one QB pressure on 25 pass-block snaps in Week 1. That 4% pressure rate was tied with left tackle Anton Harrison for the best of any Jaguars offensive lineman. Pregnon, a third-round pick out of Oregon, didn't move into the starting lineup until the second half of training camp. He was impressive enough that the Jaguars moved starting left guard Ezra Cleveland to right guard just to get Pregnon on the field.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: #6 (+8)
The Jaguars were fantastic last season. There was nothing fluky about their season. Then they looked dominant in Week 1. They led 31-0 early in the third quarter and if they wanted to run it up, the final score could have been really ugly for Cleveland. Jacksonville was one of two teams in the NFL in the top six of EPA per play and EPA allowed per play through Sunday's Week 1 games (Baltimore was the other). The Jaguars deserve respect.
Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report: #5 (+2)
The Jacksonville Jaguars weren't tested by the offensively inept Cleveland Browns, but it's still fair to acknowledge that Trevor Lawrence looked sharp, going 18-of-23 for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Keep in mind that he's completed fewer than 61 percent of his passes in back-to-back seasons. His accuracy is noteworthy, regardless of the opponent.
With all the talk about the Houston Texans defense, the Jaguars, after winning the AFC South title, are a bit overlooked among potential contenders this year. If Lawrence and Co. become more efficient on offense, this team will take another step in the right direction. Jacksonville may be a top-five team more so than a top-10 squad in the power rankings.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Where Jaguars rank across NFL power rankings entering Week 2
