The Jaguars made huge strides last season, and even bigger strides this offseason, all in an effort to try and compete with the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC East.
They made the playoffs as a Wild Card last year. But this season, they hope to challenge for a division title.
Are the Jags Super Bowl ready?
Key Addition/Subtraction
Jerry Porter—From the Raiders
Sammy Knight—To the Giants
Key Games
Sept. 7, at Titans—Derrick Harvey gets his first test against a mobile quarterback in Week One. It will be interesting to see how he can contain Vince Young.
Sept. 21, at Colts—Can the front seven put enough pressure on Peyton Manning to keep him off balance?
Nov. 23, vs. Vikings—Another tough game for the front seven as they try to contain Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
Dec. 14, vs. Packers—If Aaron Rodgers turns out to be really good, then this is a possible Super Bowl preview.
Season Outlook
The Jags have one of the best running combos, behind the Vikings, with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor making moves.
David Garrard has been a good quarterback since taking over for Byron Leftwich a few years ago.
Jerry Porter is still a good receiver, with just over 700 yards last season and will be a good complement to an already good receiving corps.
But there is more than offense for this team. The defense is pretty good as well.
They drafted two defensive ends in Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves to add to an already stacked defensive line.
Mike Peterson is a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker, and they have a great secondary with a young Reggie Nelson adding another new star to the Jags defense.
My Prediction
The Jags drafted Harvey in hopes that they can surpass the Colts for supremacy of the AFC South.
I don't think they are quite there yet, but they are getting better.
They will likely finish the season around 11-5 or 12-4.
Joe also writes for TheDailyCub.com, a Chicago Cubs blog.
11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew Butler about 1 year ago
I love Quentin Groves, a sure fire top 15 pick if it wasn't for his dislocated toes earlier in the season, hes a de/olb similar to gholston, he looks hot, with brian williams and rashean mathis at cornerbacks hopefully they're passing defense lives up 2 the jaguar name, and porter is a great addition finally having an athletic WR who may be a go to guy, it's unfortunate the loss of ernest wilford to the dolphins.
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Chris D'Aniello about 1 year ago
Nice article. I could definitely see 11-5. I think David G could be a damn good sleeper as a fantasy QB starter.
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The Packers Lounge about 1 year ago
"Dec. 14, vs. Packers—If Aaron Rodgers turns out to be really good, then this is a possible Super Bowl preview."
That is a Super Bowl preview. Nice work.
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Joe Willett about 1 year ago
There are still the Cowboys in the NFC and the Chargers, Colts, and Pats to worry about in the AFC, so it's only possible, but thanks for the compliment.
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Michael Schlossberg about 1 year ago
the jags don't have a good corps of WR im sorry.... Troy Williamson is a former bust pick by the Vikings, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams are competent at best
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Joe Willett about 1 year ago
I never said they were equal to the Pats, but Reggie Williams is good, Matt Jones is a decent number three, and Jerry Porter is going to step in and be good at the number two, plus they have Dennis Northcutt who has been a good speed guy.
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Sean Crowe about 1 year ago
Matt Jones would be an OK practice squad guy on most teams, can't be sure what you're going to get with Porter, and everyone else is somewhere between bad and decent.
They need to upgrade the WR position. No doubt.
As a team, they won me over in the playoffs. They'll be good, but they won't win it all. The Colts, Pats, and Chargers are all too good.
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Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
"Another tough game for the front seven as they try to contain Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor."
I think you mean front eight against Minnesota. Lol, just kidding.
Good breakdown, Joe. It will be very fun to see this team battle it out with the Horseshoes this year. With a wise WR addition they could very well go deep into the playoffs.
Nice work.
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Jerry Desaulniers about 1 year ago
Sorry Joe, But the Jags are better than you give them credit for. I'm a fan of a top 10 team(Browns) and fear the Jags in offseason, and believe they are a top 5 team for sure. I put them right behind the Pats for Super Bowl Favorite, keep writing Joe!
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Joe Willett about 1 year ago
Pats-Colts-Bolts-'Boys-Jags, They are Top 5, I agree, and thanks for the support.
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Michael Schlossberg about 1 year ago
The cowboys are a top 5 regular season team but Tony Romo in the playoffs? not so much
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