There has been an awful lot to like about the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. 

The Jaguars are returning from their bye week at 4-2 and in first place in the AFC South. The Houston Texans, who beat Jacksonville, continue to underachieve at 2-5. The Indianapolis Colts are also 2-5 and have begun a fire sale as the NFL trade deadline approaches. The Tennessee Titans are 1-6 and just traded their own best player, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. 

The division is Jacksonville’s to lose, especially since the team's toughest stretch of the schedule is already behind them. 

The Jaguars have bigger fish to fry, like earning the top seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs and reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. 

Jacksonville has proven last year was no fluke and that they are one of the NFL’s best teams. 

The Jaguars have one of the league’s brightest coaching stars in Liam Coen. Trevor Lawrence has proven he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and is playing at an MVP level. Parker Washington continues to blossom into one of the best and most dynamic wide receivers in the league, and the defense is once again best against the run. 

While the strong play from Jacksonville’s stars was expected, not many people expected running back Bhayshul Tuten to play so well. 

Heading into the season, most analysts predicted the Jaguars’ running game would hold back the entire offense and that Tuten wouldn’t be able to lead the team’s backfield. 

Tuten has made everyone who doubted him look foolish and has blown away expectations this season. With Tuten leading the way, the Jaguars have one of the most successful running games in the NFL, and that offensive balance has turned the team into a true Super Bowl contender. 

Just how good has Tuten been this season?

Over seven weeks, he is PFF’s highest-graded running back in the entire NFL. No other RB has earned a higher overall grade than Tuten’s 90.6. His 90.4 rushing grade is second among 44 qualifying backs. 

Per PFF, Tuten has forced 25 missed tackles so far this season and is averaging 3.6 yards per carry after contact. 

He has earned more opportunities in the passing game as well. Tuten has caught 13 of his 14 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns, giving him four total TDs this season. 

The second-year back’s numbers would be even more impressive if he didn’t have three touchdowns wiped out due to penalties this season. 

If not for Tuten’s emergence, Jacksonville would not be the complete team it is today. The offense would be too reliant on Lawrence. 

With Tuten bringing balance to the offense, defenses must respect the Jaguars’ running game. That has opened up opportunities for Lawrence and the passing game to take shots downfield. 

Jacksonville is one of the NFL’s best teams this year, and Tuten greatly exceeding expectations is a big reason why.