Jacksonville Jaguars: 2011 Predictions Game-by-Game

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With the Jaguars world turned upside down following the release of David Garrard, there are many questions as to how Luke McCown will lead this team and if Blaine Gabbert will spell him in 2011.

The Jaguars are improved on defense but still face an uphill battle that just became steeper with the uncertainty of the team's quarterbacks.

Questions remain as to how this team will win and if they can compete for a division title that seems up for grabs.

Here is a game-by-game look at the 2011 season and how it may play out.

Game 1: Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

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The Jaguars open the season against the Tennessee Tians, complete with running back superstar Chris Johnson.

In this game the Jaguars may be able to match up against the Titans defense fairly well. You can expect Mike Thomas to have a fairly easy time against the Titans' cornerbacks.

Maurice Jones-Drew will be set to run, but may find some difficulty against the Titans' line as they will surely stuff the box and rely on the secondary to handle their assignments.

Overall, the Titans should revolve Johnson and Harper adequately, and Matt Hasselback should be efficient in this game.

 

Jaguars 13  -  Titans 23

Game 2: Jaguars vs. New York Jets

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This game is going to really show the Jaguars and their fans alike how the season is going to go.

This game is seemingly impossible to win, merely because the Jaguars don't have enough offensive weapons to counteract the defensive production of the Jets.

Jones-Drew should be a non-factor in this game and will be lucky to run for 75 yards and the Jaguars don't have a receiver that can make plays against the Jets secondary.

Offensively, the Jets should move the ball and will only falter if they execute plays poorly.

The Jaguars simply are playing a team in a different league at this point. 

 

Jaguars  9  -  Jets  21

Game 3: Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers

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The Jaguars play the Carolina Panthers in week three in a very manageable game for the team.

Carolina will be rolling out their new quarterback Cam Newton against a Jaguars defense that should have a fairly decent game against him.

The Jaguars' main concerns will be the ground game of the Panthers and must make a statement by keeping DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart at bay.

Expect Jags linebacker Paul Posluszny to be the defensive player of the game here, handling run plays and containing Cam Newton by working with blitz packages.

Offensively, look for MJD to run for a big game here and take some pressure off of McCown.

 

Jaguars  20  -  Panthers 13

Game 4: Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints

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This game is another example of David versus Goliath.

The Jaguars do not match up well with the Saints on either side of the ball, but it doesn't mean that it will be an easy walk through for the Saints.

The Jaguars are capable of having success running against the Saints, as they have experienced issues in this department.

The Jaguars will look to run to the weak side of the Saints defensive line and exploit the left end, linebacker and cornerback with a combination of plays.

MJD should be able to pound out decent yardage and should see the endzone in this game.

The Jaguars must get Marcedes Lewis in this game early as the Saints have problems covering good receiving tight ends.

Defensively, the Jaguars must force New Orleans to have many third-and-long situations to stay in the game.

I think there will be an upset here.  Call me crazy, but I like the Jaguars at home.

 

Jaguars  19  -  Saints 17

Game 5: Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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The Jaguars have another favorable contest against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.

The Jaguars keys to winning this game are very simple.

Feed the ball to MJD—who should have a field day against the Bengals' run defense—and throw to Marcedes Lewis in the red zone.

Cincinnati is going to give the Jaguars a run for their money in this game but overall, the Jaguars' secondary should be able to handle the Bengals' young receivers.

 

Jaguars  23  -  Bengals  17

Game 6: Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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The Jaguars play the Steelers in the first of two back-to-back games against stellar defenses.

The Steelers should be problematic for the Jags, as the defensive line will essentially take MJD out of the equation and Mike Thomas will have a nightmare trying to get in the game.

The Steelers offense has too many weapons for this young club to counter.

 

Jaguars  10  - Steelers  28

Game 7: Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens

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The Jaguars' main concern in this game is going to be the ability to protect the quarterback from a blitzing, hungry defense that will surely record three to four sacks against them.

The Jaguars have another problematic game as Mike Thomas and Jason Hill will only be able to muster a small amount of success against the Ravens' secondary.

 

Jaguars  6  -  Ravens 17

Game 8: Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

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The Jaguars play the Texans in Week 8 in Houston.

This game is winnable for the Jags, as they should be able to gain good yardage against the Texans defense.

Look for MJD to run for 110 yards with a score and Lewis to lead the team in receiving, but it won't be enough for the Jaguars to rebound from two tough losses.

 

Jaguars  20  - Texans 24

Game 9: Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Coming out of the bye week, the Jaguars visit the Colts in another key divisional matchup.

I don't think Peyton Manning will be in this game either considering the issues he has with his neck, but even if he is, I like the Jaguars.

The Jaguars should exploit the Indy run defense—or lack thereof—with a surprising awakening from rookie Deji Karim.

If the Colts still have Kerry Collins throwing the ball, it's an added plus.

 

Jaguars  21  -  Colts 17

Game 10: Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

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If the Madden curse hasn't gotten him by now, Peyton Hillis and a revamped Cleveland Browns will give the Jaguars one hell of a game.

The Jaguars linebackers are the keys to this game; they must stop Hillis.

Although the Browns are new and improved, there are still no clear receiving options as real threats to anyone's secondary and their dismal yards after catch are some of the league's worst.

The Jaguars should take advantage of a weakened offensive line and move the ball fairly efficiently against a Cleveland team, but they'll lose a close one in the final two minutes of the game.

 

Jaguars  18  - Cleveland 20

Game 11: Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

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The second of the two meetings has the Texans poised to capitalize on a Jaguars team that is seemingly down and out.

Andre Johnson should have a 100-yard-plus day and the Texans make this series a split.

Blaine Gabbert starts to appear in games for the Jaguars and should take over as starter for the rest of the season.

 

Jaguars  13  -  Texans  21

Game 12: Jaguars vs. San Diego Chargers

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This game is pretty simple to predict.

The San Diego Chargers have too many offensive weapons and the Jaguars have too few defensive players to counteract them.

Philip Rivers has a big day throwing for over 300 yards.

 

Jaguars  14  - Chargers 35

Game 13: Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Maurice Jones-Drew leads the way to success against this Buccaneers team.

The Bucs will give the Jaguars a close game. LeGarrette Blount should run fairly well against the tired Jaguars' defensive front and Josh Freeman will throw for two scores.

The Bucs will give up ground yardage to MJD, who should score two and the Jaguars should be able to make a dent in their secondary.

Jags take this one in a close game.

 

Jaguars  28  -  Buccaneers 24

Game 14: Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Again, the Jaguars are in a game where they don't have enough to match up against a team that has too many offensive weapons.

Matt Ryan can pick and choose how and who he wants to throw to, and Michael Turner should be effective against the run defense of the Jaguars.

Offensively, the Jags sputter as the inexperienced Gabbert throws picks to the Falcons defense that cost them their chance.

 

Jaguars 13  -  Falcons 35

Game 15: Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

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Tennessee plays Jacksonville with a Chris Johnson in full force.

The Jaguars defense is eaten up on the ground as he should run for 150 against them.

 

Jaguars 17  - Titans 29

Game 16: Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Deji Karim gives MJD a rest in the season finale and picks up where he left off against the Colts' run defense.

The Colts attempt to capitalize on the inexperienced Gabbert, but fail to put pressure on the young Quarterback.

The Colts should fight back in this game and it will come down to whose kicker is better.

 

Jaguars  17  - Colts  20

Season Wrap-Up

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Overall, the Jaguars will find themselves in another scrapping battle to finish the season with a winning record and, at the end of the year, will know their future Quarterback Blaine Gabbert is able to lead them.

The season will also be the last for coach Jack Del Rio. He will finally be asked to leave due to his inability to mold a winning team.

The Jaguars finish the season at a dismal 5-11.