Jacksonville Jaguars Could Sneak Through Tough Division Into Playoffs

After a terrific 2007 campaign that included an 11-5 record and making it to the second round, the Jaguars followed that up by flipping that mark to a disappointing 5-11 in 2008.

Jacksonville failed to make the playoffs; as a matter of fact, they were the worst team in their division record-wise.

This year will be different.

Why? Well, let's start off with the obvious.

First and foremost, the Jaguars filled in their obvious need for a No. 1 target by signing seven-time Pro Bowl selection Torry Holt to a three-year contract. Holt, 32, appeared to have an off year in 2008 as he struggled to record 800 receiving yards and only claimed three touchdowns.

However, with a terrible St. Louis offensive line, Marc Bulger, his Rams quarterback at the time, was sacked an alarming 38 times. Now, Holt not only will have a tougher and more aware David Garrard, but also a better offensive line, which brings me to my second point.

Jacksonville drafted two tackles in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. The Jaguars found a bit of a steal with Monroe available at eight. I firmly believe that Monroe was the best tackle in the draft as he has the most polished game. Britton blocking on the other end only helps their offense more.

Now it's time to focus on the not-so-obvious.

The Jaguars must have been pleased and shocked to find Rashad Jennings in the seventh round. They found the perfect replacement for Fred Taylor—at least three rounds after he should have been taken.

Jennings combines strength, size, and power, and with he and Jones-Drew as a one-two punch, the running game is revamped, which of course creates opportunities for the passing game. Expect Jennings to be a goal-line finisher, and his combination with MJD to be similar to that of Chris Johnson and LenDale White of the Titans.

Then, in the third round of the draft, Jacksonville found two prospects that should help them on the other side of the field in corner-back Derek Cox and DT Terrance Knighton. Respectively, Cox was a small-school standout that should help out the Jaguars poor passing defense. Knighton not only should pressure the quarterback but also stuff runs. But I hope the Jaguars can make even more improvements.

The prospects they drafted show definite promise for the future.

Expect improvements from this Jacksonville team. Although they may be in one of the toughest divisions in the league, as many as three teams are allowed in the playoffs from one division. The AFC South will most likely offer up the Colts and Titans, but the Jags could compete with the Texans for a spot.

I am predicting that Garrard will have a much better year with a better offensive line. With Torry Holt in his arsenal of targets, I expect Garrard to throw for 20-plus touchdowns, 65 percent completions, over 3,500 yards, 10 or fewer interceptions, and a couple of yards and touchdowns on the ground.

As for Maurice Jones-Drew, well, not only will the UCLA alum receive more minutes, but he will also have a better offensive line. I see him finally reaching an elite level and scoring around 16 touchdowns, rushing for more than 1,000 yards, around two or three receiving touchdowns, and more than 600 receiving yards.

And then Torry Holt. He will have to prove the doubters wrong. He doesn't actually have much to lose at 32, but he has a lot to win—including his first playoff berth since 2005 and possibly another super bowl ring. Expect him to return to his 1,000-yard standards with 80-plus receptions and around seven touchdowns.

Overall, I expect the Jaguars to make the playoffs or end up right outside of the bubble. The only problem is that they have a fairly tough schedule. If they can pull it out, great. But, they, like Torry Holt, don't have much to lose.

I don't think many people expect them to be a playoff-caliber team. But when you break it down, it looks so. Since they had so many players coming and going, I'm not sure if they will get it together until mid-way through the season, then they shall emerge as a sleeper team.

Article credit goes to sas45champs at RealSportsTalk.