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For whatever reason, we all start doing backflips over the release of the schedule. Because football. I am guilty of this myself, so what do I do? Spend a couple of hours researching and writing about how the Jacksonville Jaguars have performed historically against their 2017 opponents.
I know this is a “what have you done for me lately” league, but I thought it might be fun to see how the teal and black have fared all-time against this year’s opponents.
Week 1: at Houston Texans, Week 15: vs. Houston Texans
Overall record: 11-19
Win percentage: 0.367
Last four matchups: 0-4
Last Jaguars win: Dec. 5, 2013
The Jaguars haven’t beaten the Texans in the last six matchups. That does not bode well against a division rival. Jacksonville showed promise in the last matchup, only losing to the Texans by one point, but blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter.
With A.J. Bouye making the move from Houston to Jacksonville, and the other additions the Jaguars have made on defense, I see a split in the season series. The draft is a week away, but if Houston’s starting quarterback remains Tom Savage then I have confidence in that claim.
Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans, Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
Overall record: 20-24
Win percentage: 0.4555
Last four matchups: 2-2
Last Jaguars win: Dec. 24, 2016
Here’s an interesting fact: The Jaguars and Titans have split the season series for eight years running now (since 2009). It seems like it is inevitable, but this Titans team is on the rise, and if Marcus Mariota returns to full strength (after suffering a broken fibula against Jacksonville), they’re the team to beat in the AFC South.
Jacksonville molly-whopped Tennessee the last time the two teams met. It was Doug Marrone’s first game as interim head coach. However, the Titans run game embarrassed the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. This should be an interesting matchup this year.
Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens (in London)
Overall record: 11-9
Win percentage: 0.550
Last four matchups: 2-2
Last Jaguars win: Nov. 15, 2015
The Jaguars play only one game at EverBank Field in the first five games of the season, so off to London they go. Jacksonville has won two straight games across the pond, and has also played Baltimore tough the past two seasons. The teams have split the last two meetings, and both victories were by two points.
This is the first non-divisional opponent on Jacksonville’s schedule, but as former AFC Central foes, the teams know each other well. This is also the first team on the schedule Jacksonville has a winning record against. The Jaguars actually beat the Ravens in the first eight matchups of the series. This is a winnable game.
Week 4: at New York Jets
Overall record: 6-5
Win percentage: 0.545
Last four matchups: 1-3
Last Jaguars win: Nov. 15, 2009
On paper, this looks like an easily winnable game against a team with a depleted roster. However, there are two things that don’t bode well for Jacksonville. One, the team opted out of the bye week after the London game. Two, all games on the road in the NFL are tough. We’ll see if fatigue and jet lag play a role.
This has been a close series throughout, with the Jaguars earning one more win than the Jets. But New York has won the last three contests. The Jaguars have also lost five of the eight games played in the Big Apple, including a playoff game. I wouldn’t count this as a guaranteed victory by any means.
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 11-11
Win percentage: 0.500
Last four matchups: 1-3
Last Jaguars win: Jan. 8, 2008
Another former division rival with a lot of history to draw on. The last time the Jaguars beat the Steelers was in the 2007-2008 playoffs. The win actually gave the Jaguars four straight over Pittsburgh. Since then, it’s been all Steel City, with three straight wins.
The 2017 Jaguars are not ready to compete yet, and will likely not go into Pittsburgh and get a victory. With that said, the Jaguars have won three of the last four meetings at Heinz Field.
Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Overall record: 1-3
Win percentage: 0.250
Last four matchups: 1-3
Last Jaguars win: Oct. 18, 2009
Fans residing in Jacksonville finally get a chance to go to another game as the team returns to EverBank for the first time since Week 2. The Jaguars have not fared too well against the Rams, albeit in a small sample size.
A home game against an unfamiliar Los Angeles Rams team that finds itself in a similar position as Jacksonville — rebuilding, unproven quarterback, and a weak running game last year — might be a more intriguing contest than many think. I expect the Jaguars to win, however.
Week 7: at Indianapolis Colts, Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Overall record: 10-22
Win percentage: 0.312
Last four matchups: 2-2
Last Jaguars win: Oct. 2, 2016
Historically, the numbers aren’t good versus the Colts, but the two teams split the series each of the past two seasons. There’s no doubt Indianapolis regressed in 2016, and with a weak offensive line and defense, there isn’t a lot of promise for a bounce-back season.
The 2011 season was the only time the Jaguars have swept the Colts. Could it happen again? Doubtful, but anything is possible. All-time against Indy, Jacksonville is 6-10 as the home team and 4-12 on the road.
Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Overall record: 11-9
Win percentage: 0.550
Last four matchups: 0-4
Last Jaguars win: Oct. 9, 2005
While Jacksonville has the two-game advantage overall, the Bengals have won the last four games in the series. The Bengals fell off last year, but have been a perennial playoff team under Marvin Lewis.
Jacksonville has not been a kind host to Cincinnati, though. The Jaguars have won seven of the 10 games there. With that in mind, the Jaguars have dropped the last two in the Sunshine State, and the Bengals are hungry after last season.
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Overall record: 2-7
Win percentage: 0.222
Last four matchups: 0-4
Last Jaguars win: Nov. 18, 2007
A second team from LA will visit Jacksonville. The Chargers have beaten up on the Jaguars. With a win percentage of just 0.222, Jacksonville has fared worse against only three other teams. From 1995 to 2011, there were only five meetings between the squads. Now, this is the fifth consecutive year they’ll face off. The Chargers have won the past six meetings.
The last time Jacksonville won was when Maurice Jones-Drew knocked the lights out of Shawne Merriman. The Chargers have outscored the Jaguars by 116 points in this series. Can this finally be the year the Jaguars beat the Chargers?
Week 11: at Cleveland Browns
Overall record: 11-5
Win percentage: 0.688
Last four matchups: 3-1
Last Jaguars win: Oct. 19, 2014
I don’t think this will shock anybody, but the Jaguars’ best win percentage is against the Cleveland Browns. Jacksonville is actually 6-2 in Cleveland as well.
But the Browns made some good moves this offseason. They have the No. 1 pick in the draft and several picks overall. Could they have improved? In a game that may have the lowest television ratings of the season, give me the Jaguars to win.
Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals
Overall record: 2-2
Win percentage: 0.500
Last four matchups: 2-2
Last Jaguars win: Nov. 27, 2005
These cross-conference opponents are not very familiar with each other, only having played four times. The Jaguars took the first two in the series and the Cardinals have won the previous two meetings. This is only the second time that Jacksonville will be traveling to the Arizona desert.
The Jaguars did win that first game in the Grand Canyon State. I don’t see that outcome repeating this year. It will be an interesting reunion game for newly sign defensive end Calais Campbell, though.
Week 14: Seattle Seahawks
Overall record: 2-5
Win percentage: 0.286
Last four matchups: 1-3
Last Jaguars win: Sept. 11, 2005
This year marks just the eight meeting between the two clubs, but it is yet another team with a low winning percentage against. The last two times were embarrassments for Jacksonville – Seattle outscored them 86-17 (including 41-0 in 2009).
Both of the last two games were in the Pacific Northwest. I don’t think that makes a great deal of difference. Russell Wilson and company will likely put on a show in 2017, but perhaps Jacksonville’s bolstered pass rush can take advantage of Seattle’s poor offensive line.
Week 16: at San Francisco 49ers
Overall record: 2-2
Win percentage: 0.500
Last four matchups: 2-2
Last Jaguars win: Dec. 18, 2005
These two last met in London where Colin Kaepernick and the ‘Niners gave Jacksonville it’s eighth loss in as many tries on the season. The 49ers won the previous matchup in convincing fashion as well.
The Jaguars won the first two battles, including a 41-3 stomping in the first ever meeting in 1999. This will be just the fifth time the two teams play each other, and with both teams in rebuild mode, it’s hard to predict a winner. I’ll go with the Jaguars.
If you were curious, the Jaguars have a historical win percentage of 0.479 against the 2017 opponents as a whole.
Let me know in the comments how you think the 2017 Jaguars will do.