2017 NFL win-loss predictions: Sports Illustrated says we go 4-12

If you think the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to improve in 2017, then Sports Illustrated agrees with you.

If you think they improve by more than one game, well...

Jonathan Jones released his full 2017 NFL season predictions, giving win-loss records for each team and pointing out each squad’s most pivotal game. For the Jaguars, things look a little bleak.

Projected record: 4–12

There’s a great deal of excitement around the Jaguars because of their active free agency and with Tom Coughlin back in the building as executive VP, overseeing all football matters. But the Jaguars’ problem is at quarterback—Blake Bortles didn’t get better in Year 3 and no one in Jacksonville, including Bortles, is sugarcoating it. I’m not going to fall for the trap that this is Jacksonville’s year.

Pivotal game: Week 6 vs. Rams. The NFL spared us from seeing the Jaguars in primetime this season, but the team still has to go overseas to face the Ravens in Week 3. That kicks off three games outside of Jacksonville (even if it’s technically a “home” game) before the Jags return home to face the Rams. Nine of the Jaguars’ past 11 wins over three seasons have come at home.

I can totally see a 4-12 record by season’s end. They have the worst quarterback in the division, a confusing run game led by two downhill running backs in Leonard Fournette and Chris Ivory, their tight end group is non-existent, and their receivers were so bad last year that the best player in the group was often Marqise Lee.

But what do you think? Is Jones being a bit too pessimistic on the Jaguars by only giving them four wins? Or is he hitting the nail on the head with another double-digit loss season?

Read through Jones’ full 2017 predictions at Sports Illustrated here.