The 2023 NFL schedule has been released in full. We knew the opponents of each team but now we can put some dates and times to certain matchups which is always fun.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to be one of the better teams in the AFC. In order to do that, they need to take care of their business in the regular season.
Jacksonville has talent in the right places but they have to prove it for another year. 2022 is going to just carry over into 2023 without being prepared.
There are a few teams on this schedule that should be good matchups for the Jaguars. These are games that should be free wins for them in 2023:
1. Week Three - Home Vs Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a team that the Jacksonville Jaguars must beat.
The Jacksonville Jaguars play in a really weak division. They should, in theory, go 6-0 vs their division rivals in 2023.
With that in mind, there is one really weak link in the division. Although they should be improved, the Houston Texans are the worst of the bunch on paper. They are going to be starting a rookie quarterback and the Jaguars need to take advantage.
This should be a game in which Jacksonville takes their talents and uses them to their advantage. This week three game at home against the Texans should be just what the Jags need early in the season.
The fact that this game comes after a tough matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in week 2 might be perfect for them. If the Jaguars want to be considered this elite team, they need to beat bad teams like the Texans with no hesitation.
2. Week 16 - Away @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Jacksonville Jaguars should dominate all-Florida NFL games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of three NFL teams in Florida. Well, there is going to be a changing of the guard in terms of who is considered the best.
All three teams from Florida made it to the playoffs last year but don't count on that happening again. The Jaguars feel like a lock to do so but the Miami Dolphins are a wild cared and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel like they are going to be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
The Bucs were 8-9 and the squeaked into the postseason because of the fact that the NFC South was so bad. Now, they don't have Tom Brady there to elevate a bad roster as he retired (for good this time).
The Buccaneers need to be looked at as a free win. The Jaguars should be good enough even if they did have Tom Brady so now that he is gone should make it even easier. This one will come in Tampa Bay during week 16.
3. Week 17 - Home Vs Carolina Panthers
The Jaguars shouldn't have a problem with the Panthers this year.
The Carolina Panthers just made the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after making a big-time trade with the Chicago Bears. They lost their star wide receiver in the process and will be starting a rookie quarterback this year.
Don't expect them to be very good. They have next year's first to the Chicago Bears as well so now Chicago could very well be adding another top-five pick if Carolina is as bad as perceived.
With Bryce Young under center, the Jacksonville Jaguars should be able to take care of their business against them.
This matchup will take place at home during week 17. They are hoping to be clinched or close to it by then so a win here might cause some celebration in town.
The Jaguars can't take anyone lightly because they are still just in year two of their competitive window but these are teams they should beat if they want to be a respectable franchise.