Game-by-game predictions for 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule
Game-by-Game predictions for the Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 schedule: Weeks 8, 9 and 10
Week 8 @ Steelers: The Pittsburgh Steelers came out of the draft with a pretty good haul. First, they fortified the trenches with offensive tackle Broderick Jones at No. 14. They then landed cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton in Round 2. The cherry on the top was tight end Darnell Washington, who slide due to injury concerns but could potentially give Pittsburgh a dynamic duo along with Pat Freiermuth.
Furthermore, head coach Mike Tomlin isn't going anywhere and should be determined to prove he should stay in place for 10 more years after talking heads doubted he would still be the head coach in 2023. But when it comes to the Steelers next season, Kenny Pickett might be the X-Factor. The signal-caller hasn't shown enough to make everyone think he's the long-term answer at quarterback, so 2023 will be about proving he's a franchise building block.
The Jags will travel to Acrisure Stadium in 2023 and although they will be welcome with a rowdy crowd, they'll beat Pickett and take another step towards relevance in the NFL. Win
Week 9: Bye, the Jaguars get the week off.
Week 10 vs. 49ers: Despite the fact that the San Francisco 49ers lack the kind of hardware the Kansas City Chiefs have collected over the last four years, they're without a doubt an upper-echelon team in the NFL. Propelled by a sturdy defense, the Niners seemed poised to reach the Super Bowl last year but they then lost all their healthy quarterbacks against the Philadelphia Eagles in a bout for the NFC Championship and returned home empty-handed.
Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer with the 49ers but Trey Lance may finally be healthy enough to start most of the season and showcase the potential that made him the third overall selection in the 2021 draft. If Lance isn't behind center when San Francisco faces the Jaguars, it will mean he either got hurt or Brock Purdy beat him for the starting job in training camp.
Regardless of who starts for the Niners when they visit The Field, they have the personnel to slow down the Jaguars' high-powered offense, so expect them to return to the Bay Area with a win. Loss