It is fun to project the number of wins, but in reality the number can vary significantly depending on key injuries to both Jaguar players as well as their opponents. Without Luck, the Jags are capable of beating the Colts twice. That being said, I believe the Jags will win 6 or 7 games this season. Due to the deeper roster and increased talent, I believe that most of their games will be competitive. If I had to pick one position group which is most important, it is the offensive line. If they can stay healthy and Joeckel improves his pass blocking (a big "if"), the offensive has a chance to be good. The additions of Yeldon and Julius Thomas will be significant upgrades and a healthy Alan Robinson can reach 1000 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. A healthy Marquis Lee is unlikely, but if this happens the offense has the potential to be explosive when clicking on all cylinders. Finally, I expect Bortles to improve significantly and eventually to become a top 10 q.b. in the NFL. He appears to have all the intangibles necessary for success combined with good athleticism and more than enough arm strength. Dave Caldwell deserves much credit for significantly strengthening the roster since he inherited the least talented team in the NFL 3 years ago.
So many factors can play into how we end the season. Will we stay healthy? We can't afford our starters to go down like last season. If we're able to hit a stride at the beginning of the season, that can carry over and we can afford to lose some games towards the middle of the season and NOT be out of the race by November. Will other teams stay healthy? Injuries can happen to any team... And honestly, Foster going down is pretty huge for the Texans. Especially when they have the unproven QB situation that could go back and forth. Neither of them are good enough to carry that team into the play-offs, so they could end up doing terrible on offense. The same goes for the Colts. I really believe the talent on our team is far better than the Colts', and the only thing they have over us is Andrew Luck.
With that being said, I predict 9-7 if the Jags are able to translate what they've been practicing onto the field... We can be competing for the division title with Indy and Houston in December. If they aren't able to hit a streak early on and get some momentum/morale boost, I see us going 5-11 or 6-10. Which would be unacceptable and the staff would probably see the door.
I think they end up even at 8-8.
3-3 in the AFCS
Upset the Bradyless Pats
Week 1 against Carolina
Bucs
Jets
Pick off a spiraling Saints to end the year.
Actually looking at the schedule we may overachieve beyond that.
Quote:USA Today predicts 6-10. 8 teams worse than Jags and two others tied. About right and IMO most other games will be competitive and within 7 points. Looking at other teams predicted W/L would mean we pick between 9-11 in draft next year. That is about what I think unless O line and Bortles take big step forward. I would prefer that over a small competive step forward.
I wouldn't be surprised if the right side of the line was rock solid, the middle decent and Joeckel gets pushed around. If Olsen uses a TE or RB to help block the left side then maybe they can keep Bortles upright and he can actually improve throughout the season.
I believe we will go 13 - 3
Sticking with 6 wins and first win in week 5 against Bucs. Bortles definitely better but a lot of same as last year. Luke Ole' wiff blocking, penalties, dropped passes, defense allowing passes over middle. Things were not as bad but not all roses either Games will be much closer in scores because of Bortles improvement.