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The Jacksonville Jaguars started the season out with eight straight losses and looked to be headed for an 0-16 season. After the bye week however, the Jaguars have been able to win three of their last four games. After the Jaguars first win over the Tennessee Titans, they were still able to hold firm grasp of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft because other teams, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had also won.
After the Jaguars took a home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, it appeared the Jaguars we're going to fall back into their losing ways. Gus Bradley didn't let that happen, as they traveled to Houston and dominated the Texans in a game most expected the Jaguars to lose. They made Case Keenum look horrible and shut down the running game.
Even with that win however, the Jaguars still held the first overall pick because of strength of schedule.
The winning was starting to become a double-edge sword, as while each win was proof of what Gus Bradley and Dave Caldwell are building, it also pushed them further away from having the No. 1 pick. With the win on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, marking their third out of the past four since the bye week, the Jaguars hold the No. 2 pick and could fall further if they sweep the Texans on Thursday Night Football.
While Jaguars fans deserve to finally have a franchise quarterback again, they also deserve some feel good during this season, as since 2011 team team has won a combined 10 games. The team hit rock bottom in 2012, going 2-14 and headed for a complete rebuild. The ability to pick up some wins during it, more than the previous season with a completely gutted roster, is a nice feeling for most Jaguars fans.
It's something they deserve. For a fan base who's constantly battered and mocked, seeing Bradley's work and Caldwell's rookies/signings pay off on the field is rewarding to most.
It shows that what they're doing is working. The Jaguars in 2012 seemed rudderless, but the Jaguars in 2013 seem like they have a clear destination and you can see that path being built. The ingredients Bradley and Caldwell are using are finally simmering and stewing towards something.
Personally I'd like to have the No. 1 overall pick and have my pick of the litter, but it's also not my job to worry about it. I'm also a selfish person and think if I'm not making the playoffs, then wins are pointless.
Dave will do what he does, but in reality for fans, the wins are a nice relief on Sundays. It's been a rough two years. They finally look like the arrow is pointing up, as some would say.
