Jacksonville Jaguars 2019 schedule announced Wednesday night
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars and the NFL announced their 2019 schedule on Wednesday night. Amongst the 16-game schedule is a few notable matchups this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars got a chance to see Patrick Mahomes first-hand last year in Week 5 of the NFL season. This year the team will open up against Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at home in the first game of 2019.
The Chiefs sent the team home losers, 30-14, in what was a cold wet day at Arrowhead Stadium. It also marked the beginning of the end of the Blake Bortles era in Jacksonville.
At first glance, the schedule the Jaguars have, starting in September isn’t the easiest, and the road to the playoffs will be tough. New quarterback Nick Foles will be tested early not only by the Chiefs but by division rivals.
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The franchise will not only open the season at home at TIAA Bank Field, but they also end the season at home, something that is a rarity for this franchise. Per Michael DiRocco of ESPN, this is only the seventh time in the team’s history they will end the season on their home field.
The home game is followed by a trip to Houston (Sept. 15) the following week and then a matchup with the Tennessee Titans for a Thursday night tilt at home on Sept. 19. The roster will get an early test of how tough it is with their first three games in the span of 11 days.
As noted yesterday, the franchise will have its yearly trip to Wembley Stadium in London in Week 9 against the Houston Texans. The team will have their bye in Week 10 of the regular season. This is the second time the Jaguars home game in London is a divisional matchup, giving the home team a decided advantage.
The Jaguars seven homes games this season should prove to be a solid test for the team’s defense, which remained intact for the most part following the 2018 season. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson and safety Tashaun Gipson released this offseason to clear cap space. Safety Barry Church was released with a month remaining in the 2018 season.
Only prime time game is Week 3 on Thursday night against Tennessee. Jaguars haven’t played on MNF since 2011 and on SNF since 2008. Also,Jaguars close the season with a home game (Colts). It’s just the seventh time in franchise’s 25-year history they’ve finished with a home game
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) April 18, 2019
The secondary will look different with Jarrod Wilson and Ronnie Harrison getting nods to fill those slots at safety.
Of the games on the schedule worth noting, here are a few nuggets to follow…
- The team plays against the AFC West this season. The team will host both Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. Once again, former head coach Gus Bradley makes his return to Jacksonville.
- A trip to Denver may not be frigid. The Jaguars face the Broncos on Sept. 29 at Mile High Stadium.
- The Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints means fans will see Drew Brees in action. The Jaguars will face both the AFC and NFC runner-up this season.
- The Jaguars will face cross-state rival Tampa Bay and Jameis Winston on Dec. 1 here in Jacksonville.
- The Jaguars close out the season Dec. 29 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Next. The direction of the Jaguars going into 2019. dark
In addition to playing against teams from the AFC West, Jacksonville also faces all four teams from the NFC South. Carolina in Week 5 on the road and Atlanta in Week 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are also on the schedule.