2013 Jacksonville Jaguars Preview

2013 Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s been a long while since the Jaguars have been relevant in the AFC picture. Half a decade has passed since the glory days of Byron Leftwich/David Garrard and the two-headed rushing monster of Fred Taylor and a younger Maurice Jones-Drew actually came close to winning something. They have since spiraled into misery, and have not improved due to poor quarterback play and even worse drafting. The Jags finished 2012 with an embarrassing 2-14 record and were rewarded with a decent offensive lineman. Unfortunately, lineman don’t really affect win totals, so Jacksonville seems to be in line for another top five draft pick in 2014. Everything about this team is depressing, especially the attendance numbers. How is it that the city of Jacksonville still even has a team? Ignoring all the positives, however, 2013 could be the year the Jaguars finally start to make some progress. Gus Bradley received his first head coaching job after a stellar job in Seattle as defensive coordinator which should help start to shape up that side of the ball. Maurice Jones-Drew is finally not injured or holding out, so there might be a revival season coming from him. Cecil Shorts emerged last year as a competent receiver, and after a four game suspension, Justin Blackmon will join him to form a nice young receiving duo. If Blaine Gabbert improves at all (and really, how can he not?), then Jacksonville could see their win total double or even triple. This would still only give them five or six wins, of course, but at least it’s better than two, you know? Unfortunately, that still might be too many wins to hope for.

Schedule

Week 1: W vs KC

Week 2: L at OAK

Week 3: W at SEA (just kidding. big loss here.)

Week 4: L vs IND

Week 5: L at STL

Week 6: L at DEN

Week 7: W vs SD

Week 8: L vs SF

Week 9: Bye

Week 10: W at TEN

Week 11: W vs ARI

Week 12: L at HOU

Week 13: L at CLE

Week 14: L vs HOU

Week 15: L vs BUF

Week 16: W vs TEN

Week 17: L at IND

I think the Jaguars will go 5-11 in 2013. Maximum. I can’t believe I even have the total that high. The fact is the Jaguars are irrelevant. For now, anyway. The biggest question mark is Blaine Gabbert, but if he somehow morphs into a quality starter, then within three years this team could potentially be making a playoff push.

Bold Prediction: Maurice Jones-Drew will rush for a MAXIMUM of 850 yards and 7 TDs. I have him at 813 and 6, to be precise.