During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL. We rank each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Jacksonville Jaguars easiest games are the focus.
Jacksonville Jaguars Easiest Games in 2016
9) Week 3 vs Baltimore Ravens
Six players have been placed on the Baltimore Ravens physically unable to perform list to start training camp. Crucially for the Ravens, Joe Flacco isn’t on there. This means that no matter what, the Ravens will be able to compete against just about any team in the league. The Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith combo should be in full swing by Week 3. An offensive unit anchored by first round pick Ronnie Stanley will provide genuine competition for the Jaguars’ revamped defense. This game could well set the tone for the Jaguars in 2016.
10) Week 4 vs Indianapolis Colts
Despite being a home game on the schedule, the Jaguars have struggled to turn Wembley matches into wins. However, the more and more they play in the United Kingdom, the bigger their fan base grows. If tricky games against the Green Bay Packers and the Ravens go their way, then 2016 may finally be the year that the Jaguars can claim home-field advantage in London.
Nevertheless, a healthy Andrew Luck will see that the Colts are favorites going into the majority of their games. It will undoubtedly be no different in London. Jacksonville have been on the losing side in six of their seven games against Indianapolis since Luck was drafted in 2012. Having scored over 50 points the last time they met, hopefully Jacksonville are able to begin to reverse the trend.
11) Week 6 at Chicago Bears
It seems as though the Bears are about to boast an elite aerial attack in Alshon Jeffrey and Kevin White. It also appears as though they are comfortable with their backfield having let Matt Forte sign for the New York Jets. The defensive core has been improved massively this off-season. This could prove to be unsettling for a not much improved Jags offensive line. However, if the Jaguars defense is able to gel into something special by Week 6, then it would take an enormous effort from Jay Cutler and company to pull off the upset
12) Week 3 at San Diego Chargers
The Chargers’ new defensive star Joey Bosa has yet to sign his deal, and if this contract fiasco goes any further into camp or preseason, then it may hold drastic ramifications for an already shaky San Diego defense which is now without Pro-Bowl caliber safety Eric Weddle. This means that the Chargers will be weak on two levels of defense. It’s something that the new balanced offense should be able to exploit relatively easily. The only obvious challenge the Jaguars will face is future Hall of Fame candidate Philip Rivers. He managed to set franchise records despite having little to no help in 2015.
13) Week 12 at Buffalo Bills
The only threat the Bills look likely to pose is through their standout star Sammy Watkins. New cornerback Jalen Ramsey is likely to have his work cut out with the former Clemson star. It would be unsurprising to see him double teamed by a Ramsey, Teshaun Gipson combo for the majority of this bout. Nevertheless, Jacksonville will be heavy favourites to dampen spirits in Buffalo as we get closer to Christmas.
14) Week 11 at Detroit Lions
Detroit have lost Calvin Johnson, arguably the greatest wide-out of his generation. Anybody who has watched Detroit football since Johnson entered the league will know that he was always their best chance at winning games. With unbelievable amounts of pressure now placed on the shoulders of young stars like Eric Ebron and Ameer Abdullah, it would be unsurprising to see the Lions fall to fourth in the NFC North as the team go through what can only be described as a rebuilding period.
15 & 16) Week 8 and 16 vs Tennessee Titans
Apologies to any Titans fans, you’re not going to like this bit.
I fully expect the Titans to lose all six divisional games they play. I also don’t expect any of them to be close.
While Marcus Mariota is likely to come on leaps and bounds, the rest of the AFC South did just the same thing this off-season, arguably none more so than the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mariota’s lead threat is now Andre Johnson, a 35-year-old veteran who has not surpassed the five touchdown mark since 2010.
A new system and a very impressive draft may stand the Titans in good stead for the future. However, it doesn’t look good for 2016.
Be sure and check out the most difficult games on the Jacksonville Jaguars schedule in 2016.
