Jacksonville Jaguars 2015 Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game
If you haven't already heard, the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2015 schedule was released Tuesday evening. The season is actually starting to take shape, and the Jaguars now know who their opponents are and what they're going to have to do to succeed.
Upon first look, I'd say this is definitely the easiest schedule of the Dave Caldwell and Gus Bradley era. They've had hard luck the past couple of years, but this year's schedule is a bit more forgiving and a bit more manageable.
The Jaguars drew the NFC South and the AFC East, which will have some tough games, but that's not nearly as bad as, say, the NFC West in 2013, where the Jaguars faced the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals.
Instead, the Jaguars will face the NFC South, whose division-winning Carolina Panthers went 7-8-1, and the AFC East. While the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots come with the AFC East, so do the manageable Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
We won't know until the season's end if the schedule was easy or not, but this schedule has me optimistic. There are tough games, as there are for every team, but this is a schedule the Jaguars could take advantage of, although I doubt playoff consideration is within reason.
With the intro out of the way, let's look at my game-by-game predictions for the Jaguars.
Week 1: Carolina Panthers
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Quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers come to Duval County to start the Jaguars' season and to give them a tough challenge. The Panthers won the NFC South, albeit with a 7-8-1 record, and are an impressive team to say the least.
The Panthers have a very balanced group, with Newton, wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olson leading what looks to be a strong passing side. The Jaguars will need to expose their lack of a star running back and force them to run if they want to win.
On defense, the Panthers have a mix of young and old. Promising young players such as linebacker Luke Kuechly and cornerback Bene Benwikere along with veterans safety Roman Harper and cornerback Charles Tillman will make for a tough challenge for the Jaguars.
Despite the slightly below average record of last season and holes in the Panthers squad, Newton and company will be too tough on offense to stop. The Panthers are a playoff team, and while the Jaguars are getting there, the quality of Carolina will prevail.
Final Score: 27-14 Panthers
Week 2: Miami Dolphins
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New Jaguar Jared Odrick won't have to wait long to see his former teammates considering the Miami Dolphins travel to Jacksonville in Week 2. The Dolphins will be coming to EverBank Field to look to improve on their 8-8 season last year, and the Jaguars need to be ready.
The Dolphins have been one of the most active teams of the offseason and have made multiple big moves to upgrade to playoff quality. Additions such as defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, TE Jordan Cameron and WR Kenny Stiles are just a few additions that could propel the Dolphins.
The Jaguars have to beat the Dolphins either on the ground or with quick passes. Among Suh and defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, the total sack count is 26.5. It's not just sacks—all of these guys are just incredible at disrupting offenses.
However, the Dolphins offense is tremendously dependent on the success of Ryan Tannehill. If the Jaguars can reach him a few times or force a few bad throws, that could be the key factor should the Jaguars handle business on offense.
Final Score: 17-13 Jaguars
Week 3: New England Patriots (Away)
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Oof. After a reasonable first two games in Jacksonville, the Jaguars begin a tough stretch of road games, and they start with the New England Patriots. The defending Super Bowl champs will be one of the toughest—if not the toughest—matchups all season.
The Patriots are led by Tom Brady, who now has his fourth Super Bowl title and is entering his 16th year in the NFL. Brady will face the Jaguars secondary, which will be in for a tough going, especially if he can connect with star TE Rob Gronkowski and receivers Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman.
On offense, the Jaguars will be facing stars safety Devin McCourty and linebacker Dont'a Hightower and the rest of the defense. However, despite the talent of McCourty and Hightower, this Patriots defense is vulnerable to a balanced attack.
Despite their vulnerabilities, the Patriots defense and offense are just too much for the Jaguars at the moment. I think it will remain competitive for a couple of quarters, but I see Brady and the Patriots offense breaking away.
Final Score: 28-10 Patriots
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Week 4: Indianapolis Colts(Away)
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Very few teams are as good as the Indianapolis Colts, and I would say that no other team has improved as much as the Colts have this offseason. The Jaguars have another tough road trip after visiting New England for Week 4.
The Colts offense is led by QB Andrew Luck and his newly rebuilt offense. RB Frank Gore and receiver Andre Johnson joined the Colts this offseason to assist with receiver T.Y. Hilton and TE Coby Fleener. Among those four options, the Jaguars will have a rough day at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Like the Patriots, the Colts' vulnerabilities are on defense. LB D'Qwell Jackson and CB Vontae Davis lead the defense, but if the Jaguars can exploit the lack of depth and experience on defense at certain spots, they could keep this close.
I thought the Colts were the best team in the AFC at points last season, and I currently think that now. Luck continues to improves, and now that he has a few more weapons, the Colts will be a difficult game for any team.
Final Score: 28-14
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Away)
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The Jaguars face another NFL team from Florida in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but travel to Tampa for this game. The Bucs were the worst team in the NFL in 2014 but are not going to be as easy as they look should their quarterback selection in this year's draft work out.
The Bucs' driving force on offense is receiver Mike Evans and RB Doug Martin. Both players are good on their own, but with the right QB at the helm, they could be dangerous weapons. Their importance relies on who they take with the 2015 NFL draft's top pick.
On defense, DT Gerald McCoy and CB Johnthan Banks are the two players to watch out for, but as for the rest of the team, the Jaguars should be able to pass with ease. However, McCoy will look to disrupt the passing game, so the Jaguars have to have a distinct, committed running plan in place.
The trip to Tampa is the Jaguars' easiest game of the season on paper. However, the draft and potential free-agency moves could make for a much more difficult team, but I think the Jaguars are the more complete, ready team here.
Final Score: 23-14 Jaguars
Week 6: Houston Texans
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Divisional rivals Houston Texans travel to EverBank Field in Week 6 for a typically difficult matchup for both teams. The Texans did well to get to 9-7 last season considering their shoddy QB play, and the Jaguars will have to deal with the team of yesteryear plus new quarterback options for the Texans.
The Texans picked up QB Ryan Mallett and QB Brian Hoyer from New England and the Cleveland Browns respectively. Among the two of them and Tom Savage, the quarterback race in Houston is tight and interesting, and the Jaguars will have to be prepared for whoever steps up as the Texans' top QB.
If the Jaguars want to win this game, they will have to be very good on offense. DE J.J. Watt, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and DT Vince Wilfork will look to be a driving force for the Texans, and the Jaguars will have to plan accordingly.
The Jaguars get Houston at home in Week 6, and I think the two games between the Texans and the Jaguars decide both teams' seasons. However, due to a close matchup, home-field advantage and coming off a good win in Tampa, my edge in Week 6 goes to the Jags.
Final Score: 21-14 Jaguars
Week 7: Buffalo Bills (in London)
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Like fellow AFC East rivals, the Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills were one of the most active teams of free agency in 2015. New additions and departures have the Bills optimistic for a successful season, but they have to beat the Jaguars across the pond to do so.
The departure of RB C.J. Spiller didn't mean the heartbreak that many may have expected, especially considering the Bills were able to bring in TE Charles Clay, WR Percy Harvin and, most importantly, RB LeSean McCoy to team up with WR Sammy Watkins and RB Fred Jackson.
Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel will battle for the starting spot at QB, but with the weapons around them, it's hard to go wrong either way. QB is the weakest position of the Bills offense, but it may not matter considering the number of weapons the Bills have.
There may not be a better front four in the NFL than the Bills' DE Mario Williams, DT Marcell Dareus, DT Kyle Williams and DE Jerry Hughes. Total number of sacks among the four? Thirty-five sacks in total. The rest of the defense drops off in quality, so the Jaguars need to look for quick passes to exploit the Bills secondary while avoiding their front four.
The hype of playing at Wembley Stadium is incredible for both types of football, and the Jaguars will have another good trip to London. However, I don't see them coming away with a win against the Bills in 2015.
Final Score: 35-24 Bills
Week 9: New York Jets (Away)
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The Jaguars go to London, take a week off and then face the New York Jets. The Jets have fallen on hard times as of late, but so have the Jaguars. Can they make the most out of this encounter?
On defense, the Jaguars have to look out for WRs Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker and RBs Stevan Ridley and Chris Ivory. The Jets' quarterback situation isn't exactly ideal, however, with Geno Smith the current probable starter. The Jaguars are going to have to make him slip up and capitalize there.
On offense, the Jaguars will have to rely on the run game to get the offense going. The tag team of CB Darelle Revis and CB Antonio Cromartie along with an underrated linebacker core means that passing the ball won't be easy, and the Jaguars will have the best chance at success running the ball.
It'll depend on the Jaguars' running back situation, but if the right back is there, whether it's a draft pick or someone such as Denard Robinson, they can succeed in New York.
Final Score: 17-13 Jaguars
Week 10: Baltimore Ravens (Away)
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The Jaguars travel to Maryland for the second straight year to take on the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 but have a much better chance to win this year. The Jaguars will be facing a tough challenge in Week 10, but this is a team that they can beat.
On defense, the Jaguars have to shut down Joe Flacco. The Ravens offense is missing names that have been nearly conjoined in the past such as Ray Rice and Torrey Smith, and now they're down to WRs Steve Smith and Marlon Brown and RB Justin Forsett as the starting options for Flacco.
On offense, the challenge is a bit more difficult but still doable. The always terrifying Terrell Suggs, along with C.J. Mosley and the promising Timmy Jernigan, will be just a few obstacles the Jaguars will have to climb. To beat the Ravens, the Jaguars will have to air it out, because success running the ball will be hard to come by.
The Jaguars can win in Baltimore if they play their best, but I think the home-field advantage and the overall better quality of players will barely lift Baltimore to a win.
Final Score: 20-17 Ravens
Week 11: Tennessee Titans
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The Jaguars get to welcome the Tennessee Titans to Duval County—on a Thursday night! "The Bank" will be rocking with excitement—and for good reason: The home game against the Titans will most likely be one of the few games in which the Jaguars will be favored in the division.
The Titans have been inconsistent with their plans for the QB position, but I think they're going to stick with current QB Zach Mettenberger for at least another year. Mettenberger is a solid QB, but his options in TE Delanie Walker and RB Bishop Sankey will be the key battles to win on defense.
The Jaguars will take on the Titans' 3-4 defense, and they'll have the best chance to win with short passes, especially to a big target such as TE Julius Thomas. The linebackers for the Titans are solid pass-rushers, but no one is incredible in coverage, which means a potential weakness for the Jaguars to exploit.
The Jaguars don't have "easy" games, but this game may be the closest thing to it. Besides Tampa, the two games with the Titans are games the Jaguars have to win, and I expect them to at least take the game at home.
Final Score: 27-17 Jaguars
Week 12: San Diego Chargers
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The Jaguars host the San Diego Chargers in Week 12 and will look to at least improve on the 33-14 beatdown they received in San Diego last season. The Chargers aren't quite as polished as some of their more recent teams, but it will continue be one of the Jaguars' toughest challenges.
QB Philip Rivers leads the Chargers and has multiple options to work with in legend TE Antonio Gates and receivers Malcom Floyd, Keenan Allen, Jacoby Jones and Stevie Johnson. Rivers has plenty of options, potentially too many to stop, but the Jaguars' best bet here is to pressure Rivers when they can and to force the Chargers to throw as much as possible.
On offense, the Jaguars will have to be successful in the air to compete and potentially win. San Diego's front seven is consistent and destructive, and while the secondary isn't shoddy, that's the weakness of San Diego.
The Jaguars have another tough matchup in the Chargers, but like the Baltimore game, I think they make this game really close. If the Jaguars play their best, it should come down to the wire in Week 12.
Final Score: 28-20 Chargers
Week 13: Tennessee Titans (Away)
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This is the reciprocal game of Week 11's matchup, this time on a Sunday and in the Volunteer State. This time around, the Jaguars and the Titans will have a good understanding of each other, which should make for an even better game.
I don't see much going differently in this game. The Jaguars will still have to lock down Mettenberger's weapons while exploiting the Titans linebackers in coverage.
The home-field advantage will be nice for the Titans, but I don't see it making a big enough difference. If the Jaguars suffer some major injuries in the week between the games, I could see the Titans pulling a win out, but if nothing drastic happens between Week 11 and Week 13, it'll end in a very close Jaguars win.
Final Score: 20-14 Jaguars
Week 14: Indianapolis Colts
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When the Colts come to Jacksonville, the fans are more passionate and more active than ever. It was always a goal to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts during his tenure, and it's just as important to beat Andrew Luck now.
However, the home-field advantage isn't enough. The Colts are set up to compete for another AFC Championship appearance and potentially more. The Jaguars will learn from their initial mistakes against the Colts, but it most likely won't be enough.
Luck is too good of a quarterback for the Jaguars secondary at the end of the day. He's too good for a lot of secondaries, actually. However, if the Jaguars play the game they know they can, it could be close to the end.
Final Score: 31-20 Colts
Week 15: Atlanta Falcons
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To say that the Atlanta Falcons expected to go 4-12 and 6-10 following the 2012 playoffs, in which they were the NFC's top seed, would be ridiculous. The injuries and pieces fell that way, and now they'll look to beat the Jaguars on their journey back to the playoffs.
The Jaguars will take on QB Matt Ryan and his array of receivers, including Julio Jones, Roddy White, Leonard Hankerson and Devin Hester. RB Devonta Freeman isn't a bad back, but with Ryan and healthy receivers available, the Jaguars have to be on their toes for the pass more than the run.
On offense, the Jaguars will need to capitalize on a relatively weak front seven. Expect the Falcons to get a couple of young players in the draft to make an impact, but the front seven will still be considerably weak. The Falcons corners and safeties are strong, however, so the Jaguars need to make sure they balance run and pass despite a weak front seven.
The Jaguars have a home game against a team that still doesn't have a defensive identity. If they can contain Ryan and his receivers, I don't see the Falcons scoring enough points to beat the Jaguars.
Final Score: 24-17 Jaguars
Week 16: New Orleans Saints (Away)
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The Jaguars get to travel to the Crescent City to take on the New Orleans Saints in what could be a very important game for the Saints. I doubt the Saints clinch a playoff spot before this week, and the Jaguars have an opportunity to play spoiler.
On defense, the Jaguars will have to handle one of the best QBs in the league in Drew Brees. Brees looked very comfortable with WR Brandin Cooks last season, but the only other player he seemed to be on page with was TE Jimmy Graham, who was traded to the Seahawks this past offseason.
The Jaguars also have to be careful to not get beaten by the Saints' combination of strength and speed in Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller, who round out the Saints' incredible attack.
On offense, the Jaguars will have to find a way to score against a strong defense at all groups. DE Cameron Jordan, OLB Junior Galette, safety Jarius Byrd and CB Brandon Browner are just four names of a very talented Saints defense.
The Jaguars could compete with the Saints if the defense plays at its top level, but the Saints defense is too good for the Jaguars to keep up with the offense the Saints will look to enforce at the Superdome.
Final Score: 28-13 Saints
Week 17: Houston Texans (Away)
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The Jaguars finish up the regular season in Houston to take on the Texans. It will be 11 weeks between their two meetings, and that could be a bigger difference-maker than thought on first glance.
At this point, I don't see the Jaguars playing for a playoff spot, but I could understand the Texans being a win away from postseason play. If this is the case, the Texans will come out guns blazing, and the Jaguars may not be ready.
Depending on the situation, this game could go a lot of ways. However, I think the the Jaguars will be eliminated from the playoffs while the Texans will not, and they will get the win they need to beat the Jaguars thanks to home-field advantage and playing with more grit and risk, considering more is on the line for the Texans.
Final Score: 24-13 Texans
Season Record: 7-9
All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter at @evanreier.
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