The Jacksonville Jaguars are moving up in the world.

Sort of.

The last time ESPN had anything to say about the Jaguars, it was when Bill Barnwell left them out of his picks for the 14 teams that will make the playoffs this season. Leaving Jacksonville on the outside looking in for the postseason was just the latest addition to a continued pattern of ESPN doubting and dismissing the team.

Barnwell had already included the Jaguars among his five teams most likely to decline this season, and Jacksonville was all the way down to 17th in ESPN's latest set of NFL power rankings.

It's a shocking dismissal of any team that won 13 games a season ago, let alone one with the premium talent and terrific coaching staff that Jacksonville has.

Will the Jaguars win 13 games again this season? Probably not.

But that doesn't mean they won't be a better team. One that can have success in the playoffs, not just the regular season.

As Jacksonville heads into its opener against the Cleveland Browns, ESPN released a Week 1 primer. In it, Dan Graziano picked the Jaguars as a "playoff sleeper."

Baby steps.

As it turns out, Graziano used a bit of wordplay for the old bait and switch.

Graziano explains that he doesn't believe the Jaguars are only a sleeper to make the playoffs, but rather that people are "sleeping" on just how good the team can be this season.

I see what you did there.

Graziano pushes back on the common narrative that the Houston Texans will overtake Jacksonville for the AFC South title this year. He is surprised by the lack of belief in the Jaguars after their breakout 2025 season. Graziano won't be surprised if Liam Coen's squad not only repeats as division champs, but also goes on the playoff run that eluded the Jaguars last season.

"I'm going to stretch the definition a bit: I think people are sleeping on just how good the Jaguars can be. Jacksonville was 13-4 last season, won nine of its final 10 regular-season games and ended up winning the AFC South. It seems as if a lot of people have already conceded that division to the Texans, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Jacksonville build on last season's progress under Liam Coen, repeat as division champs and make a playoff run."

You're preaching to the choir, Dan.

The Jaguars being treated like an afterthought this season by so many people has been baffling.

In his first season under Coen, Trevor Lawrence developed into an MVP-caliber quarterback. It would not be a surprise to see him named as a finalist for the award for a second-straight year.

Jacksonville also has one of the deepest groups of wide receivers in the NFL, if not the deepest. Lawrence has plenty weapons around him to sling the ball to.

The Jaguars also had the league's top run defense in 2025, and their pass defense this season should be bolstered by Travis Hunter playing cornerback full-time, while Travon Walker being healthy again should provide a huge boost to the pass rush.

Jacksonville achieved a 13-4 record last year despite having to learn new systems from a new coaching staff (again). Lawrence admitted that learning Coen's offense was "stressful mentally." As the players became more comfortable in the system, the Jaguars took off, winning eight straight games to end the regular season.

They also had their breakthrough campaign despite star WR Brian Thomas Jr. having a miserable season, Hunter being lost for the year after only seven games, and Walker playing through injuries that clearly affected his play.

If those three guys can play to the their potential, the Jaguars can be one of the powerhouse teams in the league this season.

Then nobody will be able to sleep on them anymore.