Heading into the 2008 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars had established themselves on most power polls as top 5 team. Even with a schedule that appeared as though it would cause possible road bumps, it appeared that the Jaguars were on their way back to the playoffs.
By the time the final seconds ticked off of the regular season, Jaguar players, coaches, and fans were stuck looking back at the disappointing 5-11 season, wondering what happened.
The season was over, there would not be a repeat playoff run, and they were considered in most NFL circles as a laughing stock due to multiple off-the-field issues and embarrassing off-season personnel moves.
Looking ahead to the 2009 season, fans and NFL analists are much more pesimistic on the Jaguars' chances of returning to the playoffs this year.
With 85 days left until the Jaguars' first kickoff of the preseason and no solid depth chart or final starting roster for any team, it would seem unreasonable to make predictions for the season.
So instead, we are going to do a game-by-game preview with a realistic approach using information based on what we have discerned from current offseason moves, draft picks, mini camp, and OTA's.
Season Preview Part One - Week's One through Five
Week One: Indianapolis Colts - Away
The rivalry returns week one with one of the biggest matches in the AFC South. Twelve of the last 14 -eetings between these two teams have been decided by eight points or less.
Interestingly last season, even with Payton Manning returning from knee surgery, an aging Marvin Harrison, a bad defensive line, and little to no running game, the Colts still managed a 12-4 season.
A win for the Jaguars here will slingshot them to a feeling of confidence that they have not felt since beating Pittsburgh in the 2006 playoffs. Can they do it? Much will depend on the play of the secondary and outside linebackers assigned to cover Dallas Clark.
Maurice Jones Drew should find running lanes through their defensive line and it should once again be a 7- to 10-point spread once the final whistle is blown.
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals - Home
Welcome home, Jacksonville. After a really tough week in Indy, you can now get to play the 2008 Super Bowl runner-up Arizona Cardinals!
The Cards are heading to Jacksonville, in my opinion, as a better team then we saw in the Super Bowl of last season.
With high quality and value draft pics such as RB Chris Wells, DE Cody Brown, and top guard prospect Herman Johnson, Arizona looks in position to repeat their NFC Championship run to the Super Bowl.
Some will reason that the Jaguars have a good chance of upsetting the Cardinals in this game is due to Arizona's poor winning percentage when playing on the east coast last season. I'm not sold on this idea. If Bolden gets re-signed, expect a long day for the Jaguar secondary.
It's also safe to assume that the 12th man will be there in full force for this home opener. However, is it possible that Jaguar fans might be more interested in attending this game to watch Larry Fitzgerald than just to support their home team? You better believe it.
Week Three: Houston Texans - Away
Another big AFC South clash early in the season. The Texans are coming off of a 8-8 season with a strong feeling of forward progression over the past three seasons. Four of their eight losses last season were by a touchdown or less. If they can fix a few careless mistakes, this team can all but challenge for their first playoff appearance ever.
How does Jacksonville stack up in this matchup? Following a impressive Monay Night Football blowout of the Jaguars and taking them all the way to overtime in thier last matchup, the Texans show no fear when playing Jacksonville.
Jaguar fans are still trying to understand why the Houston Texans have turned into the Tennessee Titans of the mid-to-late Nineties, seeming to have the Jaguars' number every time they play.
Very possibly being 0-2 here, expect the Jaguars to be very motivated to show the world that they are not a bottom 10 team and to get a win. But don't think for a second that Andre Johnson doesn't lick his chops every time he lines up against Jacksonville.
This game could be a turning point for the Jags, or it could be the true start to another very long season.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Jacksonville Jaguars articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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