Jaguars 2023 NFL Schedule: Ranking 3 ideal candidates for Week 1 Showdown
Although it is still unofficial, the NFL is expected to release its 2023 regular season schedule on Thursday, May 11th following a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. If this was any other year, it wouldn't be that big of a deal for the Jacksonville Jaguars and their fans. After all, it's never been a team […]
Although it is still unofficial, the NFL is expected to release its 2023 regular season schedule on Thursday, May 11th following a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
If this was any other year, it wouldn't be that big of a deal for the Jacksonville Jaguars and their fans. After all, it's never been a team regarded as primetime-worthy. But 2023 should prove to be different.
Following a playoff season (and consequently a fantastic 27-point-comeback Wild Card win against the Los Angeles Chargers), Trevor Lawrence's Jaguars are on the rise as one of the best-quarterbacked teams in the league. You know the NFL likes to make the most out of that.
That means the league will likely look at the Jaguars as a candidate for a big game in Week 1. Since they're drawing the Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs at home, an NFL Kickoff game is off the table. However, their 2023 opponents provide some intriguing possibilities for Week 1.
Home opponents: KC Chiefs, SF 49ers, CIN Bengals, BAL Ravens, CAR Panthers, ATL Falcons, TEN Titans, IND Colts, HOU Texans
Away opponents: PIT Steelers, BUF Bills, CLE Browns, NO Saints, TB Buccaneers, TEN Titans, IND Colts, HOU Texans
Below are my three ideal Week 1 rivals for the Jaguars.
1. Bengals @ Jaguars: The NFL's Thrilla in Manila
Ali-Frazier III in Week 1? Lawrence and Joe Burrow squared off against one another in the 2019 National Championship as collegiate stars and have had just one faceoff in the NFL (which Burrow took despite some Lawrence flashes of greatness as a rookie). But those were the Urban Meyer days.
Now, Lawrence is aiming to solidify himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. What better way to kick off the season for these two teams?
2. Panthers vs. Jaguars: No. 1 overall pick battle
The Jaguars' upcoming games against the NFC South don't look very exciting on the schedule. If there's one clear-cut storyline to get fans excited for the inter-conference games it's got to be Bryce Young's debut after being picked at No. 1 overall.
I can already see the trailers focusing on the fact that he and Lawrence share such an honor.
3. Jaguars @ Bills: AFC Elite
As of right now, the odds-on favorites to win the AFC are the Chiefs and the Bengals. The next three are the Bills, Jets, and Jaguars. This game could be a good way to add fuel to the fire and showcase two squads that will be right there as true contenders.
If the Bills win it, you raise the hype for Josh Allen & Friends following a lackluster playoff loss against the Bengals. If the Jags win it, the AFC storyline gets pretty interesting. It's a win-win for the NFL.
