The above write-up takes you a recap of the Jacksonville Jaguars thrilling victory over the Oakland Raiders earlier today.
SportsReaction
With a full game lead over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South, and a victory in their lone head-to-head matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars control their own fate this season. Heading into the “showdown” next week in Indianapolis a victory by Maurice Jones-Drew and company would all but assure the Jaguars a division title and a playoff berth.
But how good are the Jaguars? Do they stand a chance of winning a first round playoff game? Let’s have a look at their team stats and ranks to try and answer these questions.
| Category | Stat | NFL Rank | |
| Pass yds/game | 186.9 | 29 | |
| Rush yds/game | 151.5 | 2 | |
| Pass yds allowed/game | 252.9 | 27 | |
| Rush yds allowed/game | 109.5 | 17 | |
| 3rd down conv. % | 41.7 | 12 | |
| Opponent 3rd down conv. % | 42.3 | 27 | |
| Turnover +/- | (-10) | t-15* |
*Rank in AFC
Wow! The Jaguars are only exceptional in one category and that’s rushing the ball. They are mediocre or terrible in every other category. The really weird thing is that they are actually horrible in statistics I deem as “critical” such as stopping your opponent on third down, and causing turnovers while protecting the ball (Turnover +/-).
The profile above is clearly one of a bad team. Not one that is 8-5 and controls its own destiny in the formidable AFC. So how are they doing it? They are beating inept teams.
The following table shows each opponent the Jaguars have faced in 2010 along with their W/L record and totals at the bottom (Jaguar wins are highlighted in yellow, while losses in blue):
| Schedule | Result | Opp W | Opp L | |
| Denver | W | 3 | 10 | |
| SD | L | 7 | 6 | |
| Phil | L | 8 | 4 | |
| Indy | W | 7 | 6 | |
| Buf | W | 3 | 10 | |
| Tenn | L | 5 | 8 | |
| KC | L | 8 | 5 | |
| Dal | W | 4 | 8 | |
| Hou | W | 5 | 7 | |
| Clev | W | 5 | 8 | |
| NYG | L | 8 | 4 | |
| Tenn | W | 5 | 8 | |
| Oak | W | 6 | 7 | |
| Total | 74 | 91 | 0.448 | |
| Wins | 38 | 64 | 0.373 | |
| Losses | 36 | 27 | 0.571 |
So even though the Jaguars are inept in some very important facets of the game—ones that should doom a team—it seems a team can still win in spite of this if they feast on the worst teams in the league. The chart above speaks for itself. The Jaguars eight wins have come against team with a combined .373 winning percentage while their losses have come against teams that win at a .571 clip!
It is impossible for me to look at the two tables presented in this finely written article and believe the Jaguars are going to go into Indianapolis next week and claim the AFC South title. But, if they do manage to win, don’t wager any of your hard-earned money on them in the first round of the playoffs.
Jacksonville, you’ve been exposed.
No comments:
Post a Comment