2013 Jacksonville Jaguars Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions, Info & Analysis

The 2013 NFL schedule has been officially released for the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as the rest of the NFL. Now we know not only who the Jaguars will play in the upcoming season, but when. 

With that info in our hands, it's time for a game-by-game look at the Jaguars' 2013 season. Much can change between now and kickoff weekend, but this is how things might play out for Maurice Jones-Drew and company if the season started today.

The Jaguars went 2-14 in 2012 and are entering this season with a new coaching staff and general manager. Will this just be another rebuild in a long line of rebuilds, or will Gus Bradley and company show improvement in their first year?

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: The blueprint

The Matchup

The Chiefs put a pretty good team together under Scott Pioli, but his inability to move on from Matt Cassel and find an adequate quarterback doomed him. Coaching was also a big problem with Romeo Crennel in charge. Now, the Chiefs should have a pretty decent team (fringe playoff contender) as they move on to the Andy Reid era.

The Jaguars believe they have a solid coach in place, but the Chiefs serve as a solid guide—no matter how good the team gets, without a QB they're not going anywhere.

The Score: Chiefs 30–Jaguars 16

Alex Smith completes a ridiculous percentage of his passes to put the Chiefs ahead and keep them there. A steady dose of Jamaal Charles late seals the deal.

Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Oakland Raiders

Date, Time, TV Info: Sept. 15, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Which team is closer to their rebuilding goals?

The Matchup

The Raiders were so bad before Reggie McKenzie took over that one could almost look at 2012 as "Year Zero" in their rebuilding plan—especially considering the draft picks that McKenzie didn't have thanks to the Raiders' boneheaded acquisition of Carson Palmer a few years back.

The Raiders still have lots to do, and the Jaguars should have a legitimate shot at winning this game—even almost 3,000 miles away.

The Score: Raiders 17—Jaguars 13

Darren McFadden is the difference here as both quarterbacks trade turnovers for much of the first three quarters. A late touchdown slams the door and sends the Jaguars on a long flight home.

Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Seattle Seahawks

Date, Time, TV Info: Sept. 22, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: With friends like these...

The Matchup

Again with the ridiculous matchups...

The Seahawks could be having the worst game of their lives and still not worry about the results in this one. From a pass rush that should harass Gabbert from the get-go to a rushing attack that should pace them long after they run up the score, this one won't be close.

The Score: Seahawks 48—Jaguars 9

Without any sort of protection for Gabbert that can stand up to the Seahawks' multiple rushers, the Jaguars are going to give up a whole mess of sacks, pressure and a couple of interceptions. Russell Wilson has everything needed to capitalize.

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Sept. 29, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: So close, yet so far away

The Matchup

The Colts went though many of the same offseason questions that the Jaguars are currently wrestling with. However, with Andrew Luck on the way and a fantastic general manager who has pulled all the right strings, the Colts were able to go from also-ran to playoff contender very quickly.

The Jaguars are hoping for similar success, but as of right now they haven't done as much to improve.

The Score: Colts 27—Jaguars 23

The Jaguars have to be hoping for a bit of a sophomore slump with Luck and for a little bit of home-field advantage as well. Give the Jags credit for keeping it close, but the Colts are able to slam the door yet again.

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. St. Louis Rams

Date, Time, TV Info: Oct. 6, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Familiarity breeds contempt...but not necessarily success.

The Matchup

Gus Bradley knows all there is to know about the Rams after serving as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator. The problem is that the Rams had some limited success against the Seahawks in the last couple of years and the Seahawks had far better players.

Bradley will give the Jaguars all the tools they need to win this game, but the Rams are just that much more talented.

The Score: Rams 27—Jaguars 20

The Rams don't have a lot of rushing ability with Steven Jackson gone, so the Jaguars will be able to get it close after going down early. Too little, loo late, however and Bradford ekes out a win.

Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos

Date, Time, TV Info: Oct. 13, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Rocky Mountain low

The Matchup

The Jaguars have quite the murderers' row this season as they face numerous candidates for the best team in the NFL in 2013. Peyton Manning has more receivers than the Jaguars are going to know what to do with. Look for Manning to drop back early and often en route to dropping the Jaguars.

The Score: Broncos 41—Jaguars 10

The Jaguars aren't going to be able to keep pace with Manning and company. The Broncos' pass rush led by Von Miller will be in Gabbert's face from the very first minute. His mistakes will only give the Broncos that many more scoring opportunities.

Week 7: San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Oct. 20, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Trying to get traction

The Matchup

The biggest problem with this matchup for the Chargers is that the Chargers' front seven is going to be coming from a lot of different angles. Each of the down linemen presents a challenge, and the linebackers can rush the passer as well. John Pagano has this defense improving—and it will give the Jaguars' fits.

The Score: Chargers 26—Jaguars 6

Two lonely field goals will be the only thing to show for the day's work. The Chargers, for their part, will collect a couple of turnovers and a defensive score.

Week 8: San Francisco 49ers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Oct. 27, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Storyline: An All-Pro thrashing

The Matchup

From top to bottom, the 49ers might be the most talented team in all of football. Sadly for the Jaguars, this is less about the matchup and more about which way the 49ers want to beat them. Frank Gore can beat them up the middle. Colin Kaepernick can pass or run them into oblivion. They could score multiple defensive touchdowns before all is said and done.

The Score: 49ers 49—Jaguars 10

The only thing stopping the scoring onslaught here is the clock hitting zeros.

Week 9: Bye Week

Record at the Bye: 0-8

Rebuilding is never supposed to be easy, but the record may not end up this bad. Remember, this is assuming Blaine Gabbert is back under center in 2013. The Jaguars could change lots of this with a good draft and some solid free agency afterward.

Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

Date, Time, TV Info: Nov. 10, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Unstoppable force meets highly moveable object

The Matchup

The Jaguars defense is going to undergo a massive shift in personnel over the next couple of seasons. They'll try their best to clone the success that Seattle has had, but it's important to remember that Seattle didn't start with all of those players. Numerous, successive draft steals led to the defense that Pete Carroll now trots out every Sunday.  

In the meantime, they don't have the players or the scheme to stop a player like Chris Johnson from running roughshod over them.

The Score: Titans 24—Jaguars 10

The only thing keeping the score low is that the Titans don't have to throw the ball. CJ2K might have to clear space on his mantle for a rushing title...

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Nov. 17, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Storyline: Who is blocking for Palmer?

The Matchup

As of right now, the Cardinals' offseason has been limited to bringing in a below-average quarterback and not helping protect him even though they had one of the worst offensive lines in football last season.

For the Jaguars defense—itching to get some real action—this could be a real confidence-builder.

The Score: Jaguars 14—Cardinals 13

Without any time for Palmer to throw, the Jaguars don't have to worry about Larry Fitzgerald going deep. The few points that the Jaguars can score prove the difference and get them their first win of the season.

Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

Date, Time, TV Info: Nov. 24, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Better days ahead...

The Matchup

The Texans are lightyears ahead of the Jaguars in terms of talent. To make matters worse, the Texans' strength—their pass rush headed by J.J. Watt—is going up against a huge weakness of Blaine Gabbert—pocket presence.

Without much protection and with little in terms of poise, the third-year quarterback is going to hand this game to the Texans' offense on a silver platter.

The Score: Texans 37—Jaguars 17

Numerous turnovers combine with a potent rushing attack in a surefire path to victory for the Texans. The Jaguars will get some garbage-time points, but this one won't even be as close as the lopsided score.

Week 13: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Date, Time, TV Info: Dec. 1, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good

The Matchup

The Browns have a lot of talented young players but, like the Jaguars, are still looking for their quarterback of the future. Much like the Jaguars gave Gabbert another chance after his disastrous rookie season, the Browns aren't quite done with Brandon Weeden.

This has the makings of a "slobberknocker" with Trent Richardson and Maurice Jones-Drew pounding the rock with everything they've got.

The Score: Jaguars 20—Browns 14

It's not pretty, but the Jaguars are able to get the win on the road with a great game from MJD and a clean game from Gabbert. The Browns go back to the drawing board.

Week 14: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Dec. 5, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network

The Storyline: Wanna get away?

The Matchup

Part of the stigma surrounding this team—true or not—is the lack of a viable home-field advantage at a stadium known more for hosting Florida and Georgia every year than being the home of the Jaguars.

The ticket-selling woes are likely behind Jacksonville for the foreseeable future, but it's high time to start putting their stamp on Everbank and start winning a lot more games there.

The Score: Texans 35—Jacksonville 14

Just not this weekend...The Texans are too good of a team and the Jaguars have too much work to do to contend with them at this point.

Week 15: Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Dec. 15, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Light at the end of the tunnel

The Matchup

On offense, the Jaguars might have some success running off-tackle as well as working the middle of the field with the pass. On defense, Kevin Kolb isn't the most stalwart QB in the world, and he can be rattled if the defense gets to him. The Bills are a lot better than the Jaguars right now, but this is the perfect matchup for the Jags to steal at home.

The Score: Jaguars 20—Bills 17

Whether it's on special teams or defense, the Jaguars are going to have to make a few great plays to take this one—even at home. A heartbreaking Kolb interception should do nicely.

Week 16: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Date, Time, TV Info: Dec. 22, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Home cookin' does a body good

The Matchup

It's possible to steal a game from the Titans at home if Jake Locker is put through enough pressure.

Now, that's easier said than done, and the Titans offensive line is going to be a better unit in 2013 with the addition of Andy Levitre and a likely draft pick. If the Jaguars can keep this game close and the home crowd gets into it, this would be a rare win for the rebuilding Jags.

The Score: Jaguars 13—Titans 9

Pop the corks, it's a victory! With a bunch of sacks and a few timely turnovers, the Jaguars are able to stymie the Titans' offense and get a close home win.

Week 17: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

Date, Time, TV Info: Dec. 29, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Storyline: Far too little...far too late

The Matchup

For as bad as the Jaguars have been, their defense had its moments in the past couple of seasons. Had Mel Tucker's squad at their best gone up against this Colts team, it may have been possible to steal a game by pressuring Luck until he crumbled.

Now, with a new scheme and tons of square pegs in round holes, it's going to be difficult to get much traction against a team that rebuilt so quickly last year. Long-term, of course it was the right move, but that doesn't mean that there won't be speed bumps.

The Score: Colts 34—Jaguars 13

At home, Luck is going to burn through the Jaguars' secondary like he was born to do so. It's not going to be pretty...well, it might be for Colts' fans.

Final Predictions

Final Record: 4-12

Resetting a bone never feels pleasant, but it's a needed step toward healing. The Jaguars suffered under years of Gene Smith's management, and his last hurrah—hiring Mike Mularkey and going with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback—set them back even further.

The Jaguars are on the right track, but that path may be bumpy for much of 2013.

Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff at The Go Route.

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