Jacksonville Jaguars 2014 Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions
The time is nearly at hand. The Jacksonville Jaguars are just days away from their season opener and the optimism felt during the offseason is at an all-time high. Despite going 1-3 during the preseason, the Jaguars had a very successful preseason as numerous players stepped up and played better than expected.
This personnel success should translate to success on the field as the Jaguars have the fourth-weakest schedule, per ESPN.com. That being said, they play eight games against teams that have been to the playoffs in the past two seasons. Another crazy little side statistic, of the 13 teams they play this year, 10 of them feature quarterbacks taken in the first round.
The Jaguars are a young team on the rise, so they may need another season before they are fully ready to compete in the AFC with the likes of the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. However, if they perform well this season, it could be just the jumping-off point they need to start their run of success. The Jaguars haven't had a winning season since 2007, but that streak may finally be broken this season.
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
1 of 16
The beginning of the season is going to be ugly for the Jaguars, and it all starts in Philly. The Philadelphia Eagles possess a potent offense despite the loss of DeSean Jackson. LeSean McCoy can make a legitimate argument for being the best running back in the NFL, and the receiving corps consisting of Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and Jordan Matthews can give any defensive coordinator fits.
The Jaguars defense will be hard-pressed to keep up with the Eagles offense. Alan Ball, Dwayne Gratz and Will Blackmon will be spread thin against the trio of receivers, leaving space open for the Eagles' pair of dynamic tight ends, Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. This is where the Eagles can really exploit the Jaguars defense as their linebacker corps is the weakest part of their defense.
The Eagles defense has been their Achilles' heel for a number of seasons, and this year is no different. The Jaguars may be able to exploit their secondary if Chad Henne and his receivers can find a rhythm, but given the fact that two of the starters, Cecil Shorts and Allen Robinson, have barely practiced, this seems to be a wishful thought at best.
Key Matchup
Jaguars defensive line vs. Eagles running backs
The Eagles were excellent running the ball last year, averaging 160 yards per game. On top of that, they excelled in carrying out play-action passes. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Nick Foles threw 14 touchdowns and had a passer rating of 134.9 when executing play action, both good for second in the league behind Peyton Manning.
The Jaguars must be able to slow down this running game and control the pace of the game, so they can eliminate this play-action threat. If they can do this, it will force the Eagles to play without one of their key offensive strategies.
Wild Card
Chad Henne
Henne will face a lot of pressure in this game, and most of it will not come from the Eagles' front seven. Rookie quarterback Blake Bortles had an excellent preseason and has quite a large contingency calling for him to be the starting quarterback. Henne's leash is now much shorter than it was just a month ago. If he screws up, it could be his last shot at a starting gig.
Prediction
In the end, Philly's offense will prove to be too much for this defense, and the Jaguars' offense just hasn't had enough time to jell together to take advantage of Philly's weak point.
Final Score: Philadelphia 28, Jacksonville 14
Record
0-1
Week 2: at Washington Redskins
2 of 16
For the second week in a row, the Jaguars face a potent receiving corps from the NFC East. The Jaguars travel to Washington to take on the Redskins and their track-team-caliber offense.
The Redskins may not have the best receiving corps in the league, but they certainly make a case for the fastest. Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts spearhead a passing attack that has the potential to score touchdowns from anywhere on the field.
Much like the game against the Eagles, the Jaguars' corners will have their hands full with this trio of receivers, leaving the linebacker corps susceptible to tight end Jordan Reed. His speed and athleticism make him a mismatch for most linebackers, including Paul Posluszny. Coverage duties will fall to weak-side linebacker Geno Hayes who played well in coverage last year.
About the only position where the Redskins don't have a surplus of speed is at running back. However, what Alfred Morris lacks in speed, he makes up for in power. This is where Posluszny will need to be at his best and stop Morris before he can get a head of steam going.
Again, much like the Philly game, the Jaguars have the opportunity to move the ball against a questionable Redskins defense. The key for the Jaguars will be stopping the pass-rushing combo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.
If the offensive line can bottle those two up, it should allow time for Henne to find his receivers among a secondary that would be Pro Bowl-caliber if it was 2009 instead of 2014.
Key Match-up
Defense vs. RG3
Of course we can't talk about this game without talking about Robert Griffin III. RG3 is back from injury and looking to return to his rookie form (how often do you hear that) after a lackluster sophomore campaign. His preseason had some mixed results as he still was putting himself in a lot of danger on the field.
The Jaguars will need to put a lot of pressure on him in order to force him into making mistakes. They also have to be careful not to lose contain on him if he gets outside the pocket. If they can't get pressure on him, Jackson and company will use their speed to get open against the secondary, leading to big plays.
Wild Card
The Linebackers
This game really hinges on all three linebackers. Posluszny will be expected to take on Morris, while Hayes must work to cover Jordan Reed one-on-one so the safeties can help cover the receivers. Whoever is starting at the "Otto" position, whether it is LaRoy Reynolds or Dekoda Watson, will have to put pressure on RG3 as well as make sure he doesn't get room to run.
Prediction
This will be a low-scoring affair. I expect the Jaguars to keep the pressure on Griffin and throw him out of his rhythm, hampering the speed of his receivers. However, I think the Redskins will be able to crack off a few big plays that will turn the tide of the game.
Final Score: Washington 17, Jacksonville 14
Record
0-2
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
3 of 16
The Jaguars' luck when it comes to receiving corps doesn't get any better playing the Indianapolis Colts. The division winners from a year ago march into Jacksonville for the Jaguars' first regular-season home game in their new, revamped stadium.
The Colts offense features Andrew Luck at the helm and a plethora of young, talented receivers to get the ball to. Their receiving corps features T.Y Hilton and Hakeem Nicks, brought in from the New York Giants, and veteran Reggie Wayne. They also have a pair of capable tight ends in Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the secondary will have its hands full with these receivers. It puts a lot of pressure on the front line to get pressure on Luck before he picks apart this defense. Fortunately the Colts' offensive line is less-than-spectacular. The Jags should be able to mount a serious pass rush and make Luck uncomfortable.
The Jaguars should be able to move the ball on offense as well, which will help keep them in the game if it turns into a shootout. Colts corner Vontae Davis will offer the most resistance in their secondary, but Henne should be able to take advantage of the rest of the defensive backs.
Most importantly, the Jaguars won't have to worry about Robert Mathis, the Colts' premier pass-rusher, since he will still be serving his four-game suspension.
Key Matchup
Will Blackmon vs. Reggie Wayne
As stated earlier, the secondary is going to be tested with this quarterback-receiver combo. Alan Ball will likely line up against Nicks, and Dwayne Gratz will take on Hilton. This leaves Will Blackmon matched up against the savvy veteran Reggie Wayne.
Wayne, at 35 years old, is still a dangerous weapon, having been on pace for over 1,000 yards last year before missing more than half the season with injury. He may not be the explosive receiver he once was after his ACL injury, but he will give Luck a reliable set of hands on third down.
With Hilton and Nicks receiving more attention due to their big-play potential, Blackmon will be stuck on an island with Wayne and needs to be able to shut him down if they want to disrupt the Colts offense.
Wild Card
Hakeem Nicks
Nicks has become the poster child for a receiver who can dominate if he has the motivation for it. From 2010-11, Nicks posted 155 receptions for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was slowed by injury in 2012 and followed it up with a lackluster year in 2013 that had the Giants organization calling his motivation and effort into question, ultimately leading to his release.
Nicks has the physical talent to outmuscle defenders and make spectacular catches. He was a big part of the Giants' Super Bowl run in 2011 because he flat-out dominated his competition. If Nicks is able to find that groove, the Jaguars could be in serious trouble. However, if he doesn't and plays like he did last year, it will be one less thing the Jaguars have to worry about.
Prediction
The Colts will spoil the Jaguars' home opener. Luck will find enough time to pick out his receivers and to ultimately lead them to victory. This will also be the end of Henne's time as a starter as the coaching staff will feel the pressure to put Bortles in following three straight losses.
Final Score: Colts 24, Jaguars 17
Record
0-3
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Week 4: at San Diego Chargers
4 of 16
After spending three weeks on the East Coast, the Jaguars travel out west to take on the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are the fourth straight opponent that has been to the playoffs in the past two years. This will also be rookie Blake Bortles' first NFL start.
The key player for San Diego is quarterback Philip Rivers. After going through a mid-career slump, Rivers bounced back last year in a big way. He was helped by the emergence of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Keenan Allen. The young receiver exploded onto the scene last year to post over 1,000 yards and give Rivers a legitimate receiving threat.
Fortunately the Jaguars won't be spread as thin on defense as they have been in recent weeks. Outside of Allen, the Chargers offer meager challenges. Tight end Antonio Gates has seen his best days after being sapped by injuries. The backfield combination of Ryan Mathews, Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead will keep the front seven on its toes and could pose significant issues.
The defense is a bit of an enigma at this point as it has a lot of young, unproven players. The Jaguars' offensive line will be tasked with stopping outside linebackers Dwight Freeney and Melvin Ingram in order to give Bortles time to get his passes off. If he does have time, this defense is vulnerable.
Cecil Shorts, Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns should all have space to get open against this secondary. The key players they will have to watch out for are free safety Eric Weddle and corner Brandon Flowers. Flowers was a key contributor for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to last year and was let go due to being a poor schematic fit.
Key Matchup
Blake Bortles vs. pressure
Bortles will have to fight through any butterflies he has and not try to force anything. He played very well in the preseason because he was calm and collected. He didn't throw any interceptions during the preseason and showed good pocket awareness. The Chargers have had difficulty finding a pass rush so Bortles should have time to go through his progressions and make the right choice.
Wild Card
Ladarius Green
Green is the heir-apparent to Antonio Gates. He has all the physical traits you want from a tight end and looks to be the next athletic tight end ready to break out. The Jaguars could have trouble covering him, especially if they try to cover him one-on-one with a linebacker. His presence could change the outcome of this game.
Prediction
The Jaguars will surprise everyone and get the win on the road against San Diego. This is a trap game for the Chargers, something they didn't handle well last year, losing to both Houston and Oakland. Nevertheless, it will be a close game but Bortles will get his first career win in his first career start.
Final Score: Jaguars 27, Chargers 24
Record
1-3
Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
5 of 16
Fresh off their first win of the season, the Jaguars travel home to take on a much-improved Pittsburgh Steelers team. The Steelers have been criticized in recent years for having a defense that was deemed too old. They have taken numerous steps to change this, and it looks like this will be the year it pays off.
The Steelers' linebacker corps of Lawrence Timmons, Jason Worilds, Jarvis Jones and rookie Ryan Shazier rivals the talent they had at the position during their Super Bowl runs. Shazier was especially impressive in preseason and looks to be the first defensive rookie starting the season for the Steelers since 2001.
The Steelers also made upgrades on the offensive side of the ball. They brought bruising running back LeGarrette Blount in during free agency to pair with Le'Veon Bell and drafted jitterbug-type running back Dri Archer as an off-pace weapon. This running back tandem has the potential to be the best one the Steelers have had in years.
Key Matchup
Jaguars front seven vs. Steelers running game
With this new-and-improved running game, the Jags' defensive line will have to be extra-aggressive and not allow the Steelers to take control of the game.
If the Steelers are allowed to get their running game up and running, it opens up the Jaguars to play-action passes. The Steelers feature a good receiving corps led by Antonio Brown, who had 110 receptions last season. They also have a pair of young receivers in second-year receiver Markus Wheaton and rookie Martavis Bryant. Both could have a big impact as well.
Wild Card
Dri Archer
Archer is one of the fastest players in the NFL, and the Steelers plan on taking full advantage of that. They showed in preseason that they like to get him open in space and let him make plays after the catch.
The Jaguars have to find a way to keep him contained. One solution may be to put Telvin Smith, their fastest linebacker, in to shadow Archer when he comes in. If they can't keep Archer bottled up, he could carve this defense up.
Prediction
Rookie quarterbacks have never been able to beat a Dick Lebeau defense, and that record will stay intact. Bortles will struggle against this new, faster defense, and the Jaguars defense will have a tough time corralling the offense.
Final Score: Steelers 21, Jaguars 10
Record
1-4
Week 6: at Tennessee Titans
6 of 16
After a tough beginning to the season, things finally soften up a bit for the Jaguars. They travel to Tennessee to take on the rival Titans. The Jaguars look to even their divisional record at 1-1 after their loss to the Colts earlier in the season.
The Titans did not make much of a splash in the offseason. Their biggest move came with the hiring of Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach. Beyond that move, the Titans were fairly quiet.
Jake Locker is still the starting quarterback, and this is his last year to prove himself as his fifth-year option was not picked up. However, if anyone can get Locker on the right track, it is Whisenhunt. Locker has a good arm, but he lacks accuracy. If the Jaguars can get pressure on him, the throws should remain inaccurate.
The Titans will be relying heavily upon Bishop Sankey to get a spark in the running game since they cut Chris Johnson. They do have a sneaky-good receiving corps with Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright. However, all in all, this is not a scary offense.
Bortles and Co. should be able to bounce back and find open throwing and running lanes against this defense. The key will be holding up defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, who had 10.5 sacks last year. The Titans lost starting corner Alterraun Verner in free agency and seemingly have yet to find an adequate replacement for him opposite Jason McCourty.
Key Matchup
Jaguars offensive line vs. Titans defensive line
The Jaguars' offensive line is a bit vulnerable on the right side with rookie Brandon Linder starting at right guard and possibly rookie Luke Bowanko starting at center (or at least Jacques McClendon who has started only two games in his career). Casey could have a field day against this inexperienced line.
They need to not only keep Casey under wraps but also open up running lanes for Toby Gerhart and Denard Robinson. If they can find adequate running room, it will give Bortles the opportunity to get the defense to bite on play-action passes.
Prediction
The Jaguars will get their second win of the season after grinding out a win against the Titans.
Final Score: Jaguars 21, Titans 14
Record
2-4
Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns
7 of 16
The Jaguars travel back home to take on the Cleveland Browns in what will likely be a showdown of rookie quarterbacks. Just as the Jaguars will feel pressured into starting Bortles, the Browns will likely feel the same pressure to start Johnny Manziel.
The Browns offensively are an utter disaster at the moment. Their only legitimate weapon in the passing game is tight end Jordan Cameron, thanks to the suspension of Josh Gordon. The running game will be leaned on heavily, but the combination of Ben Tate and Terrance West isn't going to scare anyone.
What should scare the Jaguars is the Browns defense. They sport a number of good players, including All-Pro corner Joe Haden. Haden is the best corner in the AFC North and one of the best in the entire game. Across from him is top-ranked rookie corner Justin Gilbert. The two corners could form a potentially impenetrable corner tandem.
One way the Jaguars can find success against this premium pass coverage is by keeping pressure off Bortles and allowing the receivers time to get open.
The Browns' pass rush was nothing spectacular last year, with Jabaal Sheard leading the team with only 5.5 sacks. The main pass-rusher they have to watch for is Barkevious Mingo. Mingo was second on the team last year with five sacks and looks to substantially increase that total in his second year.
Key Matchup
Jaguars running backs vs. Cleveland defense
The Jaguars will be facing a stout pass defense so the best way to counter it is to have a good run game. Gerhart and Robinson must be able to find room to run in order to help the pass offense out.
If they can find consistent success, it will force the Browns to move a safety into the box, freeing things up for Jacksonville's bevy of wide receivers. It will also help in getting the defense to bite on play action, especially the rookie Gilbert.
Wild Card
Johnny Manziel
Manziel is not the best passer out there, but he does possess great physical attributes for the position. He is the epitome of a wild card because even if the Jaguars are able to stifle his passing, he can still beat them with his legs. He is a talented runner who possesses an uncanny ability to improvise, which can lead to big plays. If the Jaguars can't keep him corralled, it could be a long day.
Prediction
Bortles will win this battle of rookie quarterbacks. He will struggle a bit against this secondary, but fortunately, Manziel will struggle more. Expect the Jaguars to get a lot of pressure on Manziel and force him into making mistakes.
Final Score: Jaguars 17, Browns 10
Record
3-4
Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins
8 of 16
The Jaguars are on their first winning streak of the season and look to continue it against the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins offense is a boom-or-bust system, depending on the combination of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and receiver Mike Wallace. The Dolphins are reliant upon these two players building a good rapport with each other, something that was missing last year.
The Dolphins' run game will be average at best, featuring Lamar Miller and new free-agent pickup Knowshown Moreno. Moreno battled back from injury to make this roster but still doesn't look to be anything more than a stopgap for Miami. Miller is the more dangerous of the two, but he hasn't lived up to his full potential yet.
The key for the Jaguars in this game is shutting down Mike Wallace. If they can do that, it will leave Tannehill with Brian Hartline and rookie Jarvis Landry...not exactly game-changers. One area the Dolphins may be able to exploit is the linebackers with tight end Charles Clay. Clay is a versatile "Move" tight end who can be a matchup problem for the Jaguars.
For the Jaguars offense, it must provide Bortles with protection against Cameron Wake and a healthy Dion Jordan. They will be a disruptive force if the tackles can't hold them off. Cornerback Brent Grimes will also be a factor in the passing game. Fortunately, playing opposite him will be Cortland Finnegan, who struggled heavily last year.
Key Matchup
Jaguars offensive line vs. Dolphins pass rush
Tackles Luke Joeckel and Austin Pasztor will be the difference-makers in this game. They must keep Bortles upright so he can take advantage of a relatively weak back seven. Whether they are beating Wake and Jordan by standing them up or on screen plays, the offensive line must bring their A-game.
Wild card
Mike Wallace
Wallace is a boom-or-bust type of receiver. He had four games last year where he posted over 100 yards but he also had six games where he posted less than 30 yards. He is a one-trick pony when it comes to the position as he is primarily just a speedy deep threat.
Don't get me wrong, that one trick has served him very well in his career and has got him his huge paycheck from the Dolphins. Whichever Wallace shows up against the Jaguars will have a big impact on the game.
Prediction
Jaguars continue their win streak and move to .500 at the midway point of the season.
Final Score: Jaguars 28, Dolphins 17
Record
4-4
Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals
9 of 16
The Jaguars take their three-game winning streak on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be their first crack at another playoff team from last year since beating the Chargers in Week 4.
The Bengals feature one of the most complete offensive groups in the league. They are led by All-Pro receiver A.J Green, who will pose the biggest challenge for the Jaguars defense. Behind him is Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, both of which are good complementary receivers.
They feature two difference-makers at tight end in Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert. Running back Giovani Bernard is a game-changer at running back, being a threat in both the running and passing game. And of course, they are led by Andy Dalton, who is one of the most consistent QBs in the game.
Their defense is no slouch either. Their pass rush is led by defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Margus Hunt. Hunt is quite the physical specimen, coming in at 6'8" and is a former world junior record holder in the discus throw. His physical abilities showed up in the preseason when he was simply unblockable.
If it wasn't going to be hard enough for the Jaguars to hold off the defensive line, the linebackers are led by tackling machine Vontaze Burfict. He will make it very hard for the running game to find any sort of room. The secondary will make it equally as hard for the passing game with Leon Hall and Co. holding down the fort.
All in all, this is going to be a tough game for the Jaguars.
Key Matchup
Jaguars secondary vs. A.J. Green
Green is going to demand double coverage all game so they must be able to shut him down. If they devote multiple people to covering him and they aren't able to contain him, Dalton could have a field day against the Jaguars secondary.
Wild Card
Jaguars running backs
If Gerhart and Robinson are able to find running room against this formidable front line, then the Jaguars have a real chance of winning this game. It will force the Bengals into respecting the run and play action, opening up holes and slowing defensive linemen down since they will have to read if it is a run or not. This will also allow the Jaguars to control the pace of the game and keep Green and Co. off the field.
Prediction
The Bengals will snap the Jaguars' winning streak and will get plenty of pressure on Bortles, exposing the weaknesses of the inexperienced offensive line.
Final Score: Bengals 31, Jaguars 14
Record
4-5
Week 10: vs. Dallas Cowboys
10 of 16
The Jaguars return home following their loss in Cincy to take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are a team of opposites: They have a potent offense, yet their defense could barely compete in the NCAA. This is something that bodes well for Jacksonville.
Dallas' offense will rank up near the top of the league, but part of that will be by virtue of how often it will have to play from behind.
Dallas features one of the most physically gifted receivers in Dez Bryant. Bryant can take over a game as long as he has his head in the game. Quarterback Tony Romo also has perennial Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten and second-year players Terrence Williams and Gavin Escobar at his disposal.
The defense, on the other hand, lacks any sort of star power as it was forced to part ways with future-Hall of Fame pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware due to salary-cap issues. The defense is left without a proven pass-rusher and lost its best linebacker for the season in Sean Lee. Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr are the starting set of corners but both have underperformed so far in their Dallas careers.
Blake Bortles should have no problem moving the ball against this defense. This will likely be his best statistical game of the season. The same could be said for Gerhart and Robinson. The key will be slowing down Dallas' offense.
Key Matchup
Secondary vs. Dez Bryant
The Jags will have to use the same strategy they did against Green in the previous game with Bryant. Bryant is the big-play receiver for this team, and if they can keep him bottled up, it will significantly hinder Romo. This will force Romo to either abandon his favorite target or force the ball to him, creating turnover opportunities.
Wild Card
The Cowboys' main running back has always been a wild card. He either looks like a superstar or a pedestrian in pads. He will have a tough time running up the gut against Sen'derrick Marks and Red Bryant but may find success on the perimeter against Geno Hayes. Either way, his play could have a big impact on the outcome of this game, either positively or negatively.
Prediction
The Jaguars bounce back from their loss in Cincy and put on an offensive display that will give everyone a glimpse into the potential of this offense.
Final Score: Jaguars 35, Cowboys 28
Record
5-5
Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts
11 of 16
In the Jaguars' rematch with the Colts, Bortles will get his first shot at playing this division rival. The Jaguars have been playing well with Bortles under center, winning four of their last five games. However, it still won't be enough as the Colts complete the sweep of the Jaguars on the season.
Final Score: Colts 27, Jaguars 21
Record
5-6
Week 13: vs. New York Giants
12 of 16
The Jaguars face their final NFC East opponent when they play host to the New York Giants.
The Giants are a team in transition as most of the pieces that were key in their most recent Super Bowl win are either gone or have been playing poorly as of late.
Eli Manning is coming off his worst year as a pro, leading the league in interceptions with 27. The offensive line has been overhauled in hopes of giving him better protection. The skill positions are as dangerous as ever, though, and could pose a problem for the Jaguars.
The defense looks as formidable as it did last year when it was the 10th-ranked unit in the league. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is finally fully healthy and looking to get back to his 2011 form when he nearly won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The linebacker corps is still the weak point of the defense, but middle linebacker Jon Beason is the best presence it's had there since Antonio Pierce.
The secondary will be the big issue for the Jaguars offense, as it has improved drastically from last year. The Giants were able to snag both Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond in free agency, as well as a surprise contributor in preseason, Zach Bowman.
These three, combined with Prince Amukamara and Trumaine McBride, will make it nearly impossible to throw on the Giants defense. Throw in Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle and Stevie Brown, who led the league in interceptions in 2012, and Bortles is in for a tough day.
Key Matchup
Jaguars offensive line vs. Giants pass rush
The Giants' pass rush is geared to be the best it's been since their Super Bowl run with JPP at the helm. Last year's third-round pick Damontre Moore showed a lot of growth during the preseason and looks ready to play opposite JPP. The Jaguars have to keep the pressure off Bortles so he can find open spots in this defense. If they can't this game could get ugly.
Wild Card
Giants passing offense
If there is one thing I have learned from 15-plus years as a Giants fan, it is that you can never truly predict what Eli Manning will do. His unpredictability has led to two Super Bowl victories but also to a lot of head-scratching plays.
This year it is even more the case as the Giants install a new West Coast-themed offense. Things looked good in the Hall of Fame Game against the Buffalo Bills when Manning completed six of seven passes, but it has been all downhill from there.
If this offense plays up to its potential, the Jaguars could be in real trouble. The combination of Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham can run circles around most any secondary in the league, while the running back tandem of Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams will simply run over the competition. However, this is a big "if."
Prediction
This will be a close game and an ugly one, offensively speaking. In the end, the Jaguars will pull out the victory.
Final Score: Jaguars 14, Giants 10
Record
6-6
Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
13 of 16
With just four games left to play in the regular season, the Jaguars are sitting at 6-6, needing a strong finish to make a run at their first playoff berth since 2007.
The Houston Texans are a bit of an enigma. They have a good defense that excels at getting after the quarterback, led by J.J. Watt. Their offense, however, lacks an identity at quarterback. Ryan Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Tom Savage could all see starting time this season.
Regardless of which quarterback is starting, the Texans have the pieces in place to move the ball through the air with ease. Their wide receiver corps features perennial Pro Bowler Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. The running back position is a bit up in the air this year as Arian Foster is coming off injury again and they lost backup Ben Tate to Cleveland.
The Texans defense begins and ends with one man: J.J. Watt. Watt is the most disruptive defender in the NFL. The Jaguars have had a tough time blocking him in his career, giving up 5.5 sacks in six games. The Jaguars could have even more problems this year as he is now joined by first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who flashed outstanding potential in the preseason.
Key Matchup
Jaguars Run Game vs. Texans front seven
The Jaguars need to get their run game going against this defense that was ranked third in the NFL last year against the pass. It will be a tough going as the Texans ranked 10th in the league last year against the run, and that was without star linebacker Brian Cushing for half the year.
If the Jaguars can establish a respectable run game, it will help Bortles attack this top-tier defense with play-action passes. If they can't and Bortles is forced to throw 35-40 times, Watt and Co. will be able to pin their ears back and rush the passer without regard for the run game...something the Jaguars do not want.
Wild Card
Houston quarterback
The wild card in this game will be whichever quarterback is starting for Houston by this point in the season. It will dictate which game plan the Jaguars use. If Fitzpatrick is in, they can lock down the middle of the field and force him to try and beat them over the top, something he is not comfortable with.
The same idea goes for Mallett and Savage, except the Jaguars will have to close off the deep routes since both QBs have strong arms. If Savage particularly is starting, the Jaguars may decide to put extra pressure on him to see if the rookie can handle it.
Prediction
For the second week in a row, the Jaguars struggle with pass protection, but the Jaguars are able to pull out a close victory.
Final Score: Jaguars 13, Texans 10
Record
7-6
Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens
14 of 16
After a two-game homestand, the Jaguars travel north to take on the Baltimore Ravens.
The Super Bowl champions from two years ago, the Ravens took a few steps back last year as their offense seemed to never really take flight.
Joe Flacco, fresh off his major contract extension, threw more interceptions than touchdowns and failed to break 4,000 yards. The running game didn't help matters either as the normally reliable Ray Rice looked downright awful, rushing for less than 700 yards and averaging only 3.1 yards per carry.
The Ravens defense did an admirable job last season to keep the team afloat, ranking 12th in the league in total yards.
The linebacker corps seemingly didn't miss a step with the retirement of Ray Lewis and is still the strength of this team with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil leading the way. It got even better this offseason when the Ravens drafted C.J. Mosley out of Alabama, who has already been turning heads in Baltimore.
Bortles should be able to find room to throw against a secondary that features two good starters in Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb but lacks depth. Another player who could pose problems is safety Will Hill. Hill played very well for the Giants last year but was released following another suspension. His presence next to second-year safety Matt Elam could give the Ravens a potent safety tandem.
Key Matchup
Allen Robinson and Cecil Shorts vs. Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb
Robinson and Shorts will likely be the two starting outside wide receivers for the year, with Marqise Lee in the slot. This means Smith and Webb will be covering the two of them. As I stated above, both are good starting corners, but they aren't exactly lockdown corners.
Robinson and Shorts will need to find separation so Bortles can get the ball to them. They have the ability to do this, but if they fail to do so, it will handicap Bortles and will lessen the likelihood of winning.
Wild Card
The weather
When the Jaguars travel to Baltimore, it will be in the middle of December, where the average temperature for that time of year hovers just above freezing. These are conditions that the Jaguars are not use to, and Bortles certainly isn't used to, having played college at the University of Central Florida.
The cold could impact the game by itself, but throw in any sort of strong wind and possibly even snow and the Jaguars could be doomed before they even start the game.
Prediction
Ultimately, I think the Ravens' experience will best the Jaguars. The Ravens boast a wealth of it along their front seven with Suggs, Dumervil and Haloti Ngata. They will be giving this inexperienced offensive line problems all day, essentially affecting the outcome of the game.
Final Score: Ravens 21, Jaguars 17
Record
7-7
Week 16: vs. Tennessee Titans
15 of 16
In their rematch with the Titans, the Jaguars should finish what they started and sweep the Titans. The Titans' lack of offensive and defensive playmakers will ultimately doom them, allowing the Jaguars to take control on both sides of the ball.
Final Score: Jaguars 28, Titans 17
Record
8-7
Week 17: at Houston Texans
16 of 16
When traveling to Houston to finish off their regular season, the Jaguars could be thinking about postseason play if they win. A win would put them at 9-7 on the year, the same record the Chargers had when they made the playoffs last year. Even if they are out of the playoff race by this point, it would be a big win since it would mark the first time since 2007 that they had a winning season.
Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. The Texans are a good team that was severely handicapped last year by poor quarterback play. Even if they have just mediocre play, this team can win games. The Jaguars were able to skirt by in their first game, but this time the pass rush will be too much and will get the better of Bortles.
The Jaguars will fall to 8-8 on the season, but the optimism that was prevalent throughout the offseason will only increase as the Jaguars showed they are a team on the up. Giving Bortles an entire offseason with the first-team offense will only serve to help him. This team will come back in 2015 ready to make a serious playoff run, led by a potent offense and a stingy defense.
Final Score: Jaguars 10, Texans 14
Record
8-8
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