It’s finally here and official. On April 17th, the 2019 schedule was released for the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to the winning percentages of their opponents, the Jaguars will have the third toughest schedule (.531) on paper.
However, this is an insignificant number and ranking because personnel changes are not finalized with the upcoming draft and possible trades. Factor in the league’s parity, and quantifying a schedule is not an exact science. For example, heading into 2018, Jacksonville was tied for one of the “easiest” (25th ranked) schedules (.477). As the year played out, their strength of schedule was the highest in the NFL (.549).
But analyzing the upcoming schedule can be fun to look at right? Not if you are the Jaguars. Sure the home schedule boasts teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and the Los Angeles Chargers. And while that it is exciting to host a current MVP and a former MVP, the Jaguars’ main focus needs to be on their three divisional foes.
AFC South Woes
Winning the division must be the goal if the Jaguars hope to have a successful 2019 campaign. Nothing less than this. No ties for AFC South supremacy. Not a second place finish with hopes to receive a Wild Card berth. Recapturing the top spot from 2017 is only acceptable this season. A “worst to first” finish, similar to 2017. Not an easy task but achievable.
Houston Texans (2018 AFC South Champs)
The matchup with Houston showcases a premier matchup between Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Two athletes at the pinnacle of their positions going head to head. Hopkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson got the better of Jacksonville twice in 2018. However, it wasn’t the offense for the Texans, but the defense which held the lackluster Jaguars’ offense to 10 total points in the two games. Yes 10!
With the off-season move to quarterback Nick Foles for the Jaguars, the point total is sure to increase for the offense. That, along with the Jaguars’ defense pressuring Watson by attacking a pedestrian Texans’ offensive line, makes the two games winnable for Jacksonville.
Indianapolis Colts (2018 Wildcard)
The rebirth of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck caught the league by surprise in 2018. The Colts bolstered the offensive line in 2018 through the draft and were able to keep Luck upright and effective. The Colts enter 2019 with a revamped defense with young talent to compliment Luck and the offense. The league classifies the Colts as a team on the rise with a high ceiling.
However, in 2018 the Colts struggled offensively against the Jaguars in their two meetings. During the final six quarters against the Jaguars defense, the Colts did not score a single point. Zero. Not one point after a 29 point first-half onslaught by Indy in the first game. Once again, if Foles is the answer at quarterback for Jacksonville, and the defense maintains the intensity, victories over the Colts is conceivable.
Tennessee Titans (Nemesis)
Over the past few years, the biggest thorn in the side of the Jaguars has been the Titans. The Titans do not showcase a star at quarterback like the Texans or Colts. Rather, they posses a toughness among them. They are unequivocally the bullies of the division.
Historically, Jacksonville plays the Titans at abysmal points on the schedule. Whether that be on the road on a Thursday night, after an emotional victory, or after a trip out West. But this is the NFL and there are no excuses. No excuses as to how a defense that shut out Indy less than a week earlier, allowed Derrick Henry to humiliate them on national television (17 carries, 238 yards, and four touchdowns).
Tennessee is arguably Jacksonville’s biggest rival, although the series is one-sided as of late. The Jaguars need to get the Titans out of their head with a victory at some point in 2019. A primetime home game on a Thursday night early in the season could be the answer.
Last Word on the Jaguars Schedule
With the Jaguars’ addition of Foles at quarterback, the AFC South is solid from top to bottom, and arguably one of the toughest in the NFL. The Jaguars are no longer “the hunted” but “the hunter” within the division. The focus needs to be on defeating the three teams they play twice a season and not on the high-profile names on the schedule.
