The Jacksonville Jaguars will try to get their first win of the Liam Coen era when they welcome the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the 2025 season. They must definitely have a few things going in their favor to pull it off.
For starters, the Jags won't be missing any key players with injuries, while the Panthers could be without left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. On top of that, the game will be at EverBank Stadium, so Jacksonville will have an edge by virtue of being the home team. That said, the weather could turn out to be an issue.
The weather may not be optimal for the Jaguars game vs. the Panthers in Week 1
According to NFLWeather, there's a likelihood of a thunderstorm in the game between the Jaguars and Carolina. If conditions turn bad enough, the game could be delayed until the weather improves, like it happened when the Cowboys played the Eagles Thursday.
On the other hand, it will be between 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 32 percent chance of precipitation. If it rains, the Jaguars will need to turn to the backfield tandem of Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne to move the football.
If it doesn't rain, though, Trevor Lawrence will have a chance to showcase his connection with Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., and Dyami Brown.
Related: 3 bold predictions for the Jags that will set the tone right out of Week 1
The Jaguars can edge the Panthers out despite the weather
Keep in mind that there's a chance there will be thunderstorms during the game, but it's not a given. But even if things proceed as expected, the 3-point favorite Jags should have the edge over the Panthers. That said, they cannot take their interconference rival lightly.
Bryce Young showed notable improvement in the second half of 2024 under Dave Canales. He's expected to keep making strides in 2025. While wide receiver Jalen Coker is out with an injury, the third-year quarterback will have Hunter Renfrow, rookie Tetairoa McMillan, and Xavier Legette at his disposal. The Carolina defense is also well-rounded, so the Jaguars offense could have trouble moving the ball.
Then again, the Jaguars should come out of the game with the first win of the season if they play up to their talent, even if the weather ends up being a factor in the opener.