2019 NFL Team Preview - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS                             

2018 Record - 5-11-0


Head Coach - Doug Marrone



Newcomers for 2019 - Nick Foles (QB), Chris Conley (WR), Geoff Swaim (TE), Benny Cunningham (RB), Alfred Blue (RB), Jake Ryan (LB), Cedric Ogbuehi (OL)


Keys on Offense - Nick Foles takes over as the quarterback this season after passing for 1,413 yards with seven touchdown passes and four interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
Running back Leonard Fournette missed six games with a hamstring injury last year and rushed for just 439 yards (3.3 ypc average) and five touchdowns after a huge rookie season in 2017. Alfred Blue (499 yards with Houston last year) comes over to help the running attack, which dropped to 19th overall last year, averaging 107.7 yards per game.
The wide receivers are Dede Westbrook (66 receptions for 717 yards and five TD), Keelan Cole (38, 491, one TD), Chris Conley (32, 334, five TD with Kansas City) and Marqise Lee, who missed the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL injury. The tight ends include rookie Josh Oliver (San Jose State) and Geoff Swaim, who had 26 receptions, one for a score, with Dallas last season.


Keys on Defense - Up in the front seven for the Jaguars is Calais Campbell (10 1/2 QB sacks), Yannick Ngakoue (9 1/2 sacks) and Marcell Dareus along with linebackers Myles Jack and Quincy Williams. Top rookie pick Josh Allen is an edge rusher (DE/LB) from Kentucky who will look to make an impact for the team.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey (three interceptions) is the top defensive back for Jacksonville along with A.J. Bouye and safeties Jarrod Wilson and Ronnie Harrison, which formed a solid pass defense in 2018, ranking second in the NFL.
The Jaguars were fifth overall on defense a year ago, allowing 312 yards per game (117 rushing, 195 passing) and had 37 quarterback sacks and eleven interceptions. They also ranked fourth in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 19.8 points per game.


OUTLOOK - After just missing an appearance in the Super Bowl in the 2017 season, the Jaguars were a disappointment last year, dropping to the basement in the AFC South division. Head Coach Doug Marrone will not tolerate such a finish again this season, so enter Nick Foles at quarterback.
Foles helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl title two years ago after taking over for an injured Carson Wentz. He has a knack for playing well in crunch time and the Jags would like to see him lead the offense to a much better performance this season, as they finished 31st in scoring in 2018 with 15.3 points per game.
Getting RB Leornard Fournette to play up to his rookie season level would be a huge plus as well. Fournette was injured last year, but his poor performance prior to the injury was a cause for concern. In addition, the passing attack (with Blake Bortles at QB) was abysmal, averaging just 194 yards per game. Better pass protection from the offensive line is a must as well. Jacksonville allowed 53 QB sacks last season.
The Jaguars showed they can play with any team in the NFL, as they manhandled the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots early in the 2018 season before the bottom fell out. If things can mesh with the new personnel on offense and the defense remains consistent, there is reason for optimism. A 7-9 finish is most likely this season, but the Jaguars can get back to the post-season again only if the desire is there and the offense steps it up with the ground and pound attack of the 2017 season. 


TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Kansas City
Week 2 - at Houston
Week 3 - vs. Tennessee
Week 4 - at Denver
Week 5 - at Carolina
Week 6 - vs. New Orleans
Week 7 - at Cincinnati
Week 8 - vs. NY Jets
Week 9 - vs. Houston (in London)
Week 10 - BYE 
Week 11 - at Indianapolis
Week 12 - at Tennessee
Week 13 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 14 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 15 -  at Oakland
Week 16 - at Atlanta
Week 17 - vs. Indianapolis