It has been about ten minutes since I've seen the Jaguars' 2009 schedule. If nothing else, it should tell us quickly what kind of team we will be seeing this season. For those who haven't already seen it, here it is.
1 Sun, Sept. 13 at Indianapolis Colts CBS 1 p.m.
2 Sun, Sept. 20 vs. Arizona Cardinals FOX 1 p.m.
3 Sun, Sept. 27 at Houston Texans CBS 1 p.m.
4 Sun, Oct. 4 vs. Tennessee Titans CBS 1 p.m.
5 Sun, Oct. 11 at Seattle Seahawks CBS 4:15 p.m.
6 Sun, Oct. 18 vs. St. Louis Rams FOX 1 p.m.
7 Bye
8 Sun, Nov. 1 at Tennessee Titans CBS 4:05 p.m.
9 Sun, Nov. 8 vs. Kansas City Chiefs CBS 1 p.m.
10 Sun, Nov. 15 at New York Jets CBS 1 p.m.
11 Sun, Nov. 22 vs. Buffalo Bills CBS 1 p.m.
12 Sun, Nov. 29 at San Francisco 49ers CBS 4:05 p.m.
13 Sun, Dec. 6 vs. Houston Texans CBS 1 p.m.
14 Sun, Dec. 13 vs. Miami Dolphins CBS 1 p.m.
15 Thu, Dec. 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts NFLN 8:20 p.m.
16 Sun, Dec. 27 at New England Patriots CBS 1 p.m.
17 Sun, Jan. 3 at Cleveland Browns CBS 1 p.m.
1. A Fast Start is a Must
Everyone here was hoping the NFL wouldn't give the Jaguars early divisional games. What do we get? Three in the first four weeks. If this team has any playoff goals, a 2-1 mark in those games is a minimum.
2. A balanced first half
Intermingled with the critical early divisional games, the other four games are against NFC West teams and the Kansas City Chiefs. If nothing else, the Jaguars will play three of their first eight games against teams also picking in the Top 10. Qwest Field is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the worst places to play for visiting teams, though. Assuming we can become the Missouri State Champions, splitting the Arizona and Seattle games should be enough to help with getting into the playoffs.
3. No monumental road trip
With the fair and Florida-Georgia game it is always a crap shoot to see if the Jaguars may end up on the short end of a three game road trip. This year, the schedule works to their favor with a bye week and only a trip to Tennessee.
4. "Flexing" our muscles later in the year?
I believe the Miami and New England games are that late in the year deliberately. If the team gets back to 2007 form, it could potentially provide great match ups for Sunday Night Football.
5. Take care of business against weaker competition
Everyone is looking at the early divisional games and end of the year trips to New England and Cleveland. However, I'm also looking at a schedule that could provide six or seven easy wins. With the NFC West, Chiefs, Bills, and Browns all on the schedule, the Jags could play .500 football the rest of the time and still have a 10 or 11 win season.
Just my thoughts, how about yours?
-John