The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts in the opener. They then lost two straight. Now, they're riding a two-game winning streak following their impressive 25-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 6.
It wasn't all perfect. But when the offense and the defense needed to make plays, they came through. It's also worth noting the Jags didn't trail at any point of the game, which is impressive when you take into account that the Bills ranked second in both points scored and points allowed heading into Week 5.
Knowing the Jaguars just beat one of the best teams in the league, it feels like a good time to take a look at their remaining schedule and predict the next 11 games.
Before that, here's the offseason projection for each Jags game when the schedule was announced. With that out of the way, here's a prediction for Jacksonville's remaining slate.
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 6 vs. Colts
The Jaguars already beat the Colts in the opener. They'll next welcome them at EverBank Stadium, where they haven't won since 2014. Indianapolis has a stout defense and Jonathan Taylor is back in the fold after starting the season on Injured Reserve. However, there's a chance Anthony Richardson, who suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5, will be out for the game.
The initial diagnosis for #Colts QB Anthony Richardson is an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, per sources. He’ll undergo an MRI to further assess. X-rays were negative. pic.twitter.com/Syd7vgraL0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 8, 2023
This means Gardner Minshew could get the starting nod against his former team. If that's the case, that will be one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the bout. While you could argue that there's a bit of a downgrade from Richardson to Minshew, the latter has proven he's capable of winning football games. That said, expect the Colts to extend their losing streak at the Bank.
Jaguars win (4-2)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 7 @ Saints
The Saints had one of the best defenses in the league last year, ranking ninth in points surrendered and fifth in total yards. All they needed was a quarterback and they got him when Derek Carr became available earlier this year.
Carr is far from elite but he's no longer tasked to win games by himself like he was with the Las Vegas Raiders. Instead, all the Saints ask him to do is feed the ball to his playmakers and keep mistakes at a minimum. While that's not a perfect formula, it's been enough for New Orleans to start 3-2 in 2023.
The Saints just shut out the New England Patriots 34-0 after losing two in a row. Their defense is as good as it was last year but Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars should be able to take care of business in their first primetime game of the season.
Jaguars win (5-2)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 8 @ Steelers
While it's a bit hard to imagine the Jaguars going 5-2, it would be more shocking to see them having a losing record. In Week 8, they face the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that has been downright dominant at times but has also struggled to move the ball. As long as Mike Tomlin is their coach, they'll have a fighting chance but their offense is lacking juice this season. Twice already, they've been held to less than 10 points.
On the other hand, their feisty defense will keep Pittsburgh in games, and given that their bout against the Jaguars will be at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field, they'll have a huge advantage. The Jaguars offense is good enough on paper to put points on the scoreboard but the Steelers defense will be up to the task.
Jaguars lose (5-3)
Week 9: The Jags get a BYE
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 10 vs. 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are playing like a team that knows they could've won last year's NFC Championship if they had had a healthy quarterback. Brock Purdy has looked shaky at times this season but the Niners have surrounded him with enough weapons that he doesn't have to be the hero every game. Having a rejuvenated Christian McCaffrey most definitely helps.
It also doesn't hurt that San Francisco has a dominant front seven, led by edge rusher Nick Bosa and All-Pro linebacker Fred Wagner. This bout will be in Jacksonville but even if the 49ers are no longer undefeated by Week 10, they may prove to be too much for the Jags.
Jaguars lose (5-4)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 11 vs. Titans
The Jaguars swept the Tennessee Titans last year and they may have a favorable chance of pulling off the feat again in 2023. Make no mistake, the Titans have a pretty good defense. Defensive end Arden Key has proven to be a great free-agent addition while Harold Landry has picked up where he left off before he tore his Achilles last year.
However, their offense is holding them back. Derrick Henry is showing he's still got a bit of gas in the tank and DeAndre Hopkins give Tennessee a bonafide No. 1 receiver. The issue is that they don't have anyone who can get him the ball. Ryan Tannehill has struggled this season and the front office doesn't probably trust Will Levis or Malik Willis. Otherwise, they might've already given either one a chance to start.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, are gaining momentum, so they should be able to dispose of their division foes at EverBank Stadium.
Jaguars win (6-4)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 12 @ Texans
The Jaguars were supposed to beat the Houston Texans in Week 3. However, they fell flat in their face even though they were seemingly the better team. While losing certainly stinks, Jacksonville will have the opportunity to get payback in Week 12.
Although this will be a road game for Jacksonville, they have played much better since their Week 3 loss. It's true that C.J. Stroud, along with fellow rookie Will Anderson Jr., will keep improving as the season progresses but the Jaguars will have working at full steam by Week 12. This is to say that these division foes will go 1-1 this year.
Jaguars win (7-4)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 13 vs. Bengals
The NFL chose the Jaguars for their Monday Night Football slot in Week 13 because they wanted to match Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow up. However, Burrow suffered a calf injury before the season and his play has been severely affected.
The case can be made that Burrow hasn't been given proper time to heal but he showed improved mobility during the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe he'll be fully healthy by Week 13 but until further notice, expect the Jaguars to beat the Bengals.
Jaguars win (8-4)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 14 @ Browns
Deshaun Watson was one of the best quarterbacks in the league early in his career. But then, he got into a dispute with the Houston Texans and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns. Looking back, his first year in Cleveland didn't probably go as planned. He served a suspension to start the season and wasn't particularly efficient when he got on the field.
This was understandable when you take into account that Watson had last played in 2020. However, he's continued to struggle in Year 2 of his stint with the browns and has run out of excuses. The silver lining is that the defense has kept Cleveland afloat but unless Watson turns the corner, they won't do much of note this year.
Jaguars win (9-4)
Revisited predictions for Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 15 vs. Ravens
The Jaguars beat the Baltimore Ravens last season and the win was one of the most meaningful ones. Trailing 19-10 in the fourth quarterback, Jacksonville found a way to come back and win the game on a two-point conversion by wide receiver Zay Jones.
This offseason, the Ravens made a key change. They gave offensive coordinator Greg Roman the boot and brought in Todd Monken to take his place. So far, the decision has paid off and Lamar Jackson has looked much better than he has in recent years. Right now, Baltimore ranks 12th in points scored and third in points allowed. Even though this matchup will be at EverBank, the Jags will have a hard time coming up with the win.
Jaguars lose (9-5)
Revisited predictions for Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 16 @ Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have most definitely exceeded expectations. You will probably be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks they're elite but they've been better than anticipated. One big reason has been Baker Mayfield's career revival.
When the Browns got rid of Mayfield last year, he spent time with the Carolina Panthers and then the Los Angeles Rams. By the end of the 2022 season, it looked like he was going to enter the journeyman stage of his career but he's done a good job of helping the Bucs transition from the Tom Brady era. The defense has also done their part and ranks seventh in points allowed and 15th in total yards.
This won't be an easy matchup for the Jaguars and nobody should bat an eye if they leave Raymond James Stadium with an L.
Jaguars lose (9-6)
Revisited predictions for Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 17 vs. Panthers
The Carolina Panthers used the first overall pick in this year's draft on Bryce Young. Although he hasn't been as good as C.J. Stroud, he's progressively gotten better. However, he might need a season or two before he fully hits his stride. Add the lack of weapons in his arsenal, and the Panthers offense isn't something to write about.
The Jaguars have previously lost games they were supposed to win (e.g. Texans in Week 3) but they should be able to take care of business when they host the Panthers in Week 17.
Jaguars win (10-6)
Revisited predictions for the Jaguars 2023 schedule: Week 18 @ Titans
Last season, the AFC South title was at stake in the final and the Titans came close to beating the Jaguars. However, Rayshawn Jenkins forced Josh Dobbs to fumble and Josh Allen proceeded to take it to the house.
This year though, Tennessee doesn't look nearly as competitive as they were in 2022. They have lots of issues, including (but not limited) to the offensive line and quarterback, and it's hard to see them making a run for the division crown late in the season. No road game is easy but the Jaguars should be able to go to Nissan Stadium and beat their AFC South foes to ensure they're the top seed in the division.
Jaguars win (11-6)