There’s always an element of unpredictability when making season predictions. You can have an idea of how a team will fare any given year based on the amount of talent they have on the roster and their coaching staff. On the other hand, variables such as a drop in a player’s performance and injuries could affect any potential projections. Take the Jacksonville Jaguars for example.
This writer thought the Jags were going to be 5-3 after Week 8 based on Trevor Lawrence’s projected leap, the additions the team made in the offseason, and the arrival of head coach Doug Pederson. However, they hold a 2-6 record following a loss to the Denver Broncos and are on the brink of missing the playoffs in 2022.
There are still nine games left in the season, but the Jags would need to put it all together if they want to have a shot at qualifying for the postseason, so how many wins are there in the rest of their schedule? Let’s take a look.
The Jaguars will tie their win totals from 2021 in Week 9
Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Win
The Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders seemed like potential sleepers before the start of the 2022 season but both clubs have only managed to muster two wins each. The Raiders traded for Davante Adams in the offseason but their offense hasn’t gelled. Similarly, their decision to neglect their defense and the offensive line has come back to haunt them.
On the other hand, the Jaguars are coming off five straight losses and haven’t been able to play complementary football. Las Vegas will give them a chance to do so.
The Jaguars still have a few tough games left on their schedule
Week 10 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Loss
There are always a few surprising moves in the offseason and this year was the trade of wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. It was fair to wonder how the Kansas City Chiefs would fare without the six-time Pro Bowl selection, but their offense hasn’t missed a beat and currently lead the NFL in points scored.
Hill is also enjoying success catching passes from Tua Tagovailoa, so you could argue that this was a win-win situation for both Kansas City and the All-Pro wide receiver. Even though Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts have gotten a bigger of the spotlight this season, Patrick Mahomes is still his usual self, which means that he’s still among the top 3 quarterbacks in the league.
This makes it difficult to see the Jaguars coming out of Arrowhead Stadium with a win in Week 10.
Week 11 Bye: The Jaguars take a well-deserved break and get ready to finish the season strong.
Week 12 vs. Baltimore Ravens, Loss
Even after taking a break, the Jags will fail to beat a Baltimore Ravens team that had trouble holding onto leads early in the season but has found ways to seal the deal. The Ravens have won three of the last four games and seem poised to make a playoff push in a weakened AFC North.
Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level but it’s hard to see him getting the award again with Josh Allen performing at a ridiculous level. What’s even more impressive is that Baltimore’s wide receiver corps leave much to be desired. Still, it should be good enough to dispatch the Jaguars in Week 12.
The Jaguars split the next two games on their 2022 slate
Week 13 vs. Detriot Lions, Win
The Detroit Lions showed progress under Dan Campbell last season Sure, they went 3-14 but players fought hard for their head coach and lost games they could have won if they had had a few more playmakers on the roster.
Using that logic, the Lions made several acquisitions in free agency and currently have one of the best offenses in the league. However, their defense is the worst, which is a reason they’re 1-6 entering Week 9. Detriot was expected to make a leap in Campbell’s second season at the helm but the wins aren’t there, which makes you wonder if he’s the right man for the job.
Given the current state of the Lions’ defense, the Jaguars should get their fourth victory of the 2022 season in Week 13.
Week 14 vs. Tennesse Titans, Loss
After starting the season 2-0, the Tennessee Titans have bounced back. They are 5-2 following a win over the Houston Texans. Derrick Henry might have lost a step but he’s still having a fine year, racking up 166 carries for 755 yards with seven touchdowns. Also, their defense is playing at a high level.
It’s also worth noting that rookie Malik Willis started the season as the backup quarterback but he started in relief of Ryan Tannehill in Week 8. Tannehill will be a game-time decision for the Titans, so Willis might make his second start of the year against the Kansas City Cheifs.
The Jaguars might have the chance to finish the season strong
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys, Loss
Mike McCarthy deserves credit for keeping the Dallas Cowboys afloat while Dak Prescott recovered a thumb surgery he had before the start of the 2022 season. Also, Cooper Rush proved to be an adequate replacement in Prescott’s absence, which prompted talking heads to ask if there was a quarterback controversy brewing.
But in spite of Rush’s heroics, Prescott is entrenched as the starting quarterback in Dallas, and the Jaguars will face him (barring injury) in Week 15. While the Philadelphia Eagles are the cream of the crop in the NFC East, the Cowboys are a talented team on their own. Their defense ranks third in the league in points allowed and the offense has no shortage of weapons even after trading Amari Cooper in the offseason.
Week 16 vs. the New York Jets, Win
The New York Jets aren’t among the best teams in the NFL but they’ve probably exceeded expectations this season and they’ve done so even though they’ve lost several starters on their offensive line to injuries. The fact that Zach Wilson missed time and hasn’t played particularly well makes it even more impressive.
Head coach Robert Saleh’s strong suit is defense and the Jets rank 11th in the league in points allowed. One of their brightest spots is cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is a strong candidate to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. But in spite of everything New York has going for them, the Jaguars will find a way to win in Week 16. Their roster stacks up favorably and they should have fixed whatever mistakes they had early in the season.
The Jaguars play a couple of AFC South foes to end the 2022 season
Week 17 vs. Houston Texans, W
The Jaguars had an opportunity to beat the Houston Texans in Week 5 but a couple of costly mistakes by Trevor Lawrence put to waste an outstanding performance by their defense. The fact that Jacksonville was favored to win and the game was held at TIAA Bank Field makes the loss even more frustrating.
Davis Mills still hasn’t proven he’s the answer at quarterback but the Texans have a good finding in running back Dameon Pierce, who’s become an important piece of their offense. All things considered, Houston is still a couple of years away from turning the corner. They have a few building blocks on their roster but not nearly enough to consistently win games.
Week 18 vs. Tennessee Titans
Making the playoffs is a great feat but not everyone team can qualify and those that don’t will try to prevent others from doing so. The Jaguars did it last year when they beat the Colts in the season finale.
This year’s Titans are much better than the 2021 Colts but the Jaguars should have figured things out at this point of the season, which will make this a close game than talking heads expect. It will be interesting to see who’s the starting quarterback for the Titans in Week 18. Will Ryan Tannehill keep his job or will Tennessee try to find out what Malik Willis is capable of doing?
Now, winning seven games is nothing to be proud of but the Jaguars have won more than six in a season just once since 2008, so it would represent a step in the right direction. While a playoff run seems unlikely, Jacksonville will have the chance to finish strong and enter the offseason on a high note.