Jaguars Schedule Preview: NFL is about to put some respect on their name
This might be the most excited we've been about a Jacksonville Jaguars' NFL regular season schedule release in forever. And figuring out the reason why isn't remotely rocket science. You see, the thing is… this might be the most excited we've been about the Jags ever, period! With quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug […]
This might be the most excited we've been about a Jacksonville Jaguars' NFL regular season schedule release in forever. And figuring out the reason why isn't remotely rocket science. You see, the thing is… this might be the most excited we've been about the Jags ever, period!
With quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson leading the way, they've turned into one of the main characters in the AFC. And I bet you the NFL is well aware of it.
The league, which is expected to release the official schedule on Thursday, May 11th, is likely about to put some respect on the Jaguars' name.
Do you remember how many primetime games the Jaguars were set to play when the schedule was announced around this time last year? Go ahead. Take a guess.
Yup. Just the one. An uninspiring Thursday Night Football showdown against the New York Jets.
To be fair, the NFL did end up flexing the Jags' win-or-go-home regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans into a Saturday night slot.
But originally, it was just the one primetime game for the good ol' undistinguished Jaguars.
Jaguars fans should expect that to change in 2023. It's a quarterback league after all, especially when it comes to those TV ratings and fan interest. And it's clear that after seeing his breakout sophomore season under Pederson, the league isn't about to waste Lawrence's play on noon time slots only.
So how many primetime games could be on the table for the Jaguars?
Honestly, as many as five. Upon last year's release, the NFL had 12 teams with five primetime games on their schedule. Considering Jacksonville is widely seen as one of the favorites in the AFC, they're likely to be among the league leaders.
And quite frankly, the Jags' schedule presents several good opportunities for some primetime games:
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
Jaguars' primetime games predictions
- vs Chiefs: Hey, we all want to see more of this following last year's Divisional Round.
- @ Titans: That Week 18 game in Jacksonville was electric. Run it back in Tennessee in another Primetime slot? And I guess I'm obligated to include an AFC South game.
- vs Bengals: This was one of my candidates for the Jags' Week 1.
- @ Bills: I mean… Josh Allen vs. Trevor Lawrence? Yeah.
- vs Ravens: Lamar is back and the Ravens should be, too.
