2017 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Doug Marrone
2017 Offensive Ranking - 6th (366 ypg, 26.1 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 2nd (286 ypg, 16.8 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Blake Bortles is looking to continue his upward swing after coming through in the playoffs last year. Bortles passed for 3,687 yards and 21 touchdown passes last season and was intercepted 13 times. Bortles also rushed for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
Leonard Fournette led the Jaguars in rushing in his rookie year, going for 1,040 yards (in 13 games) and scored nine touchdowns. T.J. Yeldon gained 253 yards and scored twice on the ground.
The wide receivers include Marqise Lee (56 receptions, 703 yards, three TD), Keenan Cole (42, 748, three TD), Dede Westbrook (27, 339) and Donte Moncrief (26, 391, two TD with Indianapolis). Rookie pick D.J. Chark (LSU) is also looking to get his chance. The tight end is Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who had 50 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the New York Jets last season.
DEFENSE - The second ranked defense in the NFL has sack master Calais Campbell (14 1/2 QB sacks) at defensive end along with Yannick Ngakoue (12 sacks) leading the way along with Dante Fowler, Jr. (eight sacks) and Malik Jackson (eight sacks). The linebackers are led by Telvin Smith (three interceptions) as well as Myles Jack and Blair Brown.
The secondary is stacked with two solid cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey (four picks) and A.J. Bouye (six INT). The safeties are Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson, who each had four interceptions. Jacksonville picked off 21 passes last season and amassed 55 sacks while leading the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 170 yards per game.
OUTLOOK - The Jaguars nearly pulled off the shocker of the season last January in the AFC Championship Game, narrowly losing to the New England Patriots on the road.
Head Coach Doug Marrone knows his team is built to win now and they had a taste of it last year after years of futility.
Are they hungry enough this year?
The defense is solid and adds two top rookie picks (DT Taven Bryan - Florida and safety Ronnie Harrison - Alabama) to the mix this season. With a forceful defensive front and the best secondary in the game, the Jags should be in every game they play.
The offense is the concern, especially at quarterback where Blake Bortles frustrated the team with his inconsistent play a year ago. Entering his fifth season, Bortles is coming off a good playoffs performance and is hoping to see that continue into the 2018 season.
If that happens, the offense could be even better after averaging 26.1 points per game (5th in NFL) last season. Leonard Fournette is a hard runner and the receivers are decent, potentially giving the team a passing attack that balances the league's top running game.
This could be a big season for the longtime lowly Jaguars. An 11-5 finish should be enough to win the AFC South division again. Whether or not the Jags can go further in the playoffs will depend on the play of Bortles. The Super Bowl is a reality.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at NY Giants
Week 2 - vs. New England
Week 3 - vs. Tennessee
Week 4 - vs. NY Jets
Week 5 - at Kansas City
Week 6 - at Dallas
Week 7 - vs. Houston
Week 8 - vs. Philadelphia (in London)
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - at Indianapolis
Week 11- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 12 - at Buffalo
Week 13 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 14 - at Tennessee
Week 15 - vs. Washington
Week 16 - at Miami
Week 17 - at Houston
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