NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17
By Peter Panacy
![NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ec0b7a4cd95989f5038f11ddd952347c9fb6432d317fd02a1e10a46afd66f444.jpg)
52. . L, 44-33 at 49ers. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 10. team
On paper, this should have been a blowout for the Jaguars. After all, Jacksonville entered this contest with the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL and was playing a 49ers team that ranks 25th in scoring.
That didn’t happen, though, as the Niners got off to a hot start and caused more than a few scenes of frustration on the Jags sideline:
Those frustrations carried over onto the field too, as Jacksonville was penalized 12 times for 99 yards — many of which were stupid, reaction-type penalties.
With San Francisco doing a good job of bottling up running back Leonard Fournette, the Jaguars were forced to put their faith in quarterback Blake Bortles.
He wasn’t good, tossing three interceptions with two touchdowns and finishing with a 75.6 passer rating.
Jacksonville still clinched the AFC South despite the loss, happening because of the Titans’ loss in Week 16. But the Jags still need to figure out how to consistently do what they were doing well if they hope to stand a chance of making a deep run.