The NFL preseason used to consist of four games but the league reduced the number to three went they expanded the regular season from 16 to 17 games last year. Nevertheless, the Jacksonville Jaguars will still have four games in 2022 because they will participate in the Hall of Fame exhibition matchup.
Sure, preseason games don’t count in the standings and there aren’t really any stakes at play. However, there are several reasons why the preseason is worth watching. With that in mind, here’s a look at each one of the Jaguars’ four preseason foes in 2022.
2022 Hall of Fame game: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders
These two teams last faced off against each other back in 2019 and it was a meaningful encounter because the Jaguars’ handed the Raiders a loss in what was their last game ever at the Oakland Coliseum.
Since then, both teams have experienced plenty of turnover but one thing remains unchanged for the Raiders, quarterback Derek Carr. In fact, he’s one of their longest-tenured players. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, the former Fresno State Bulldog and his revamped wide reciever corps won’t play much in the Hall-of-Fame game. On the bright side, both teams will see each other again later in the regular season, more precisely in Week 9.
The Jaguars will see rookie Travon Walker take the field for the first time, and they will get to see where’s his at in his transition to edge rusher. Also, it will be the first time running back Travis Etienne takes the field since suffering a Lisfranc injury in the first game of last year’s preseason.
Date and time: Thursday, August 4th at 8:00 PM EDT at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
2022 preseason Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns
The Jaguars would surely like to forget Week 1 of last year’s preseason. Besides losing Travis Etienne for the whole year, Tim Tebow had a dreadful performance, one that showed he wasn’t going to be able to cut it as a tight end and ultimately put the last nail in the coffin. Here’s the former Florida Gator trying to block and in case you forgot. But hey, at least he tried.
https://twitter.com/Stadium/status/1426723315159375872?s=20&t=E4TMAiZkC-451m1wq7SAFg
If that wasn’t enough, Urban Meyer got the spotlight because he showed he couldn’t stand losing an exhibition game. Looking back, it was one of many signs of what ended up becoming a taxing season for the Jaguars. Coincidentally, Jacksonville will once again take on the Browns in Week 1 of the preseason and while it may feel like deja vu, there are reasons to think things will go very differently this time around.
For starters, Meyer is gone and Doug Pederson is in as the Jaguars head coach. This isn’t his first rodeo, so he will know what kind of workload he will give to Trevor Lawrence and other key players. Also, he won’t lose his cool if they aren’t able to beat Cleveland.
Speaking of the Browns, it will be interesting to see who will be taking snaps behind center. Will Deshaun Waton have resolved his legal situation by then? Will Bake Mayfield still be on the roster? Those are questions nobody knows but will find out in Week 1 of this year’s preseason.
Date and Time: Friday, August 12th at 7:00 PM EDT at TIAA Bank Field
2022 preseason Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This preseason will be critical for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they’re entering the dawn of a new era, one in which Ben Roethlisberger is no longer their starting quarterback. In his place, Mitch Trubisky will tentatively be behind center in Week 1 of the regular season.
However, the Steelers used a first-round selection in this year’s draft on Kenny Pickett and he might likely be competing with Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Keep in mind that Pittsburgh didn’t draft the former Pitt Panther to ride the bench. On the other hand, they cannot hand him the keys to the car if he isn’t ready. Furthermore, Trubisky is trying to show he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL, so he won’t surrender the job without a fight.
One thing working in Pittsburgh’s favor regardless of who takes snaps under center is the presence of Mike Tomlin, one of the best and longest-tenured head coaches in the whole league. He’s dealt with all kinds of situations throughout his stint with the Steelers, so he will know how to approach the season and he will make use of their game against the Jaguars to assess their quarterback situation.
On Jacksonville’s sideline, there might be several position taking place in Week 2, with the one at right tackle being arguably the most important one. Also, Jake Luton and E.J. Perry will most likely get plenty of snaps to see if either one deserves a spot on the depth chart, so this will be an important game for the Jaguars as well.
Date and Time: Saturday, August 20th at 7:00 EDT at TIAA Bank Field
2022 preseason Week 3: Jackonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons
While NFL fans and established players might not like preseason games, they give coaching staffs and front offices the chance to evaluate their rosters before the last round of cuts ahead of the beginning of the regular season.
By Week 4 of the preseason, most starters on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster will be resting and general manager Trent Baalke will be taking notes on fringe players. This game won’t count in the standings but the Jaguars would surely want it to when you take into account that they will be taking on the Falcons, a team that beat 21-14 them last year.
At the time, the Jags were in the middle of a losing streak and were arguably at their lowest point of the year. On the bright side, Meyer was kicked to the curve a few weeks later, lifting a massive weight off their shoulders. You could make the case that Jacksonville is in better shape than the Falcons right now.
While the Jags has seemingly found their franchise quarterback, the club formerly known as the Dirty Birds traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason and is in the early stages of a rebuild. Marcus Mariota will likely be their Week 1 starter but he might be on the sidelines in Week 3 of the preseason, paving the way for rookie Desmond Ridder, who needs to get as many snaps as possible.
Date and Time: Saturday, August 27th at 3:00 EDT at Mercedez Benz Stadium