Unless they were looking to finish with a losing record (and that's highly unlikely), things probably didn't go the way the Jacksonville Jaguars expected in 2024. They entered the season with high expectations but failed to live up to them. Projected to bounce back and challenge the Houston Texans for the AFC South title, the Jags instead have struggled to win games and are one of the worst teams in the league.
Sure, Jacksonville has lost several players to injuries, but that's virtually true for every team. The difference is that only the best ones find a way to overcome them. It's fair to say that the Jags aren't a good one. In fact, you could make the case that they don't have much to play for in what's left of the season, but the truth is that players will have a chance to finish strong and build their stock ahead of the offseason.
Head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged as much during a media availability session ahead of the Week 16 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I think it's huge. I think it's a big step forward for these players to finish the season the right way, put good film on tape, whether you're going to be a free agent or you're one of ours, right?" Pederson told the local media when asked how valuable the last three games of the season will be for young players. "You still want to put good film out there, and it, from a coaching perspective, gives you an idea of the type of player that you drafted, you brought on your team."
Pederson continued, "For the player, gives him confidence going into the offseason. I look back to what Buster did his rookie year, and then the chances he got to play early on, how that catapulted him into this season. That's a great example, right?"
"Even looking ahead, like the confidence that you see in Tank and the confidence you see in Brenton and Anton 's been a Day 1 starter but the young players that have played: Antonio Johnson playing more this year, and the more or the better, I should say that they play in these last couple of games will give them the confidence."
All things considered, Pederson is right. He could be gone at the end of the year, but there are plenty of players who will need to show the next regime that they deserve a roster spot. With that in mind, here's a prediction for the next three games.
Jaguars @ Raiders in Week 16
The Jaguars will face the Raiders in what's dubbed the Travis Hunter Bowl. The winner will get a boost of confidence to finish the season, while the loser will have a better chance of landing the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As bad as the Jaguars have been this season, Las Vegas has been even worse. Compounding the issue is that they just placed All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby on Injured Reserve and journeyman Desmond Ridder is set to start at quarterback.
This is to say that even though the game will be held at Allegiant Stadium, and the Raiders are a 1-point favorite, the Jaguars should have no trouble coming out on top.
Prediction: Jaguars win 24-13
Jaguars vs. Titans in Week 17
Titans head coach recently made headlines because he said that his team isn't soft. Maybe he's right, but Tennessee isn't a tough team either. Otherwise, they wouldn't be 3-11 ahead of Week 16. Sure, trusting Will Levis to make strides only to be let down certainly hurt, but they made enough acquisitions in the offseason to make you think that they were going to be more competitive in 2024. Based on their record, it's fair to say that they aren't.
The Jaguars have already beaten Tennessee in Nashville this season, so nobody will bat an eye if they manage to pull off the sweep when they welcome them at EverBank Stadium in Week 17.
Prediction: Jaguars win 20-17
Jaguars @ Colts in Week 18
There are three things guaranteed in life: Death, taxes, and the Colts losing to Jacksonville at EverBank Stadium. It wasn't any different in 2024, as the Jags fended off Indy at the Bank in Week 5.
That said, the Colts are hanging onto their slim playoff hopes and may be in desperation mode when they face off against Jacksonville in the finale. When you take into account that the Jaguars have struggled to win close games and will be the visiting team in the final, their season could (will?) finish on a sour note.
Prediction: Jaguars lose: 24-14