Jaguars Mike Mularkey not ruling out NFL playoffs

Despite their 1-4 start, the Jaguars are still in contention for the playoffs, said coach Mike Mularkey. The coach's optimism was met by incredulity from the media, but Mularkey is quick to remind skeptics of the 2004 Bills season.

With Mike Mularkey as the head coach, Buffalo began that year 1-4, and certainly looked to be out of the playoff hunt. The team then got hot -- winning six in a row at one point -- and finished at 9-7, just outside the playoffs. But the Bills were still in contention in Week 17 that season. Mularkey said,

"I want to see how our guys are responding in the good times and not-so-good times...I go in the locker room, and I talked to every player yesterday after the game...It could have been doom and gloom. I felt good about it after I talked to every player on this roster after this game."

Still, it's hard to be overly optimistic about the Jaguars, who have been outscored 65-138 so far this season.