Quote:I just see the first four games as really being against extremely formiddable teams. We never come anywhere near close to beating a Brady-led Patriots team as Belichick just seems to have the Jaguars number. Maybe they have a shot if Brady isn't playing. The Colts by all likelihood are going to whoop us.


 

The real questionmarks are the Panthers and Dolphins. While they are not invincible teams, these are two playoff caliber teams who probably end up ranking second in their divisions. I had the Panthers #1 in the NFC South, but the Saints have impressed the heck out of me this preseason making me think they might just surpass the Panthers who lost their star young WR. But the Panthers still boast a defense and running game that's among the best in the league. Their LBs may be the best, they have a young stud CB in Josh Norman who will probably take out whoever he covers, and their DL has some exceptional talent as well. On offense on top of an extremely stout running game, they have a QB in Cam Newton who just makes things happen both with his arm and legs.


 

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have been developing cohesive units on both sides of the ball for some time and this offseason added Sue to the middle of their DL. Pennington, meanwhile, has developed into one of the best young qbs in the game. Overall, the Dolphins are one of the better teams in the AFC. I can see the Jaguars somehow finding a way to go 1-1 against these two teams, although it's tough to say which one. Where I say 1-3 tops is my thinking they go 0-2 against the Patriots and Colts, although like I mentioned that might change if Brady actually is suspended.


 

In other words, it's not that I think the Jaguars will start sluggish. I'm expecting exciting games with both teams brawling for every yard. I just think it's not realistic to expect the Jaguars to beat both the Panthers and Dolphins as they are contending teams expected to win double digit games this year.