How to Feel About the Jaguars' 4-3 Start

But in other ways, the last two weeks have shown all of the red flags that popped up during the first five weeks were just that: real red flags, and not just hopeful mirages. The lack of pass-rush, the penalties, the drops, the inconsistent quarterback play, the big plays allowed through the air on defense -- these are all problems that were real during the 4-1 start. Wins just hid them.

Now that the Jaguars are losing games, it has become clear that these weren't just problems that could be wished away. The questions facing the Jaguars are becoming answers, and they aren't the answers the Jaguars want.

"The Jaguars are 4–3 and still firmly in the AFC playoff picture, but things are trending sharply in the wrong direction. Jacksonville lost last weekend to the Seahawks before being blown out 35–7 by the Rams at Wembley Stadium in London," Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame said.

"For the second consecutive game, the Jaguars took double-digit penalties, giving themselves almost no chance to win against a quality NFC West opponent. Jacksonville’s problems were on full display against the Chiefs in Week 5, when Kansas City rolled up 476 yards and 28 points. Yet the Jaguars found a way to win, thanks to 13 penalties on the Chiefs, along with a Devin Lloyd 99-yard pick-six.

The Jaguars have an easier post-bye schedule than the gauntlet they have gone through over the last month, but the 4-3 start should not be accepted on face value. The Jaguars can, and should, be better than this.

"While Liam Coen’s team deserves credit for winning, relying on more than a dozen flags and a 99-yard defensive score isn’t a repeatable recipe. Over the first four weeks of the season, Jacksonville led the league with 13 takeaways," Verderame said.

"As a result, the defense allowed 18 points per game. Since then, the Jaguars have surrendered 24 points over the past three games, with only one total takeaway. If the takeaways dry up, and the Jaguars don’t get elite play from Trevor Lawrence (who has nine touchdown passes against five interceptions thus far), the back half of the year could be ugly."