2018 NFL schedule: Our probably dumb but maybe not dumb Jaguars win-loss predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 regular season is days away and you know what that means — really dumb but maybe not that dumb predictions and guesstimations of the year!

(Hey, you knew this was coming, right?)

Here are our predictions for how a season with a lot on the line and much expected of one of the best rosters in the league will play out:

Week 1: @ New York Giants

Win. Mark it. 1-0. There’s no way this defense lets Eli Manning out alive, much less winning the game. Jalen Ramsey will shut down Odell Beckham and Ronnie Harrison will get his first true test against tight end Evan Engram. Saquon Barkley having his first NFL start against the Jaguars defensive line is unfair.

Record: 1-0

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots

Win. The Patriots and Tom Brady always have that one game they play closer-than-you-thought early in the season and I think their first road game of the 2018 season is that one. If you’re going to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC, this is the game to win.

Record: 2-0

Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans

Loss. Until we can beat them, we can’t. The Titans had our number last year and absolutely frustrated us in an early season disappointment. Prove me wrong, Jaguars.

Record: 2-1

Week 4: vs. New York Jets

Win. A rookie quarterback going against the Jaguars secondary should be against the Geneva Conventions.

Record: 3-1

Week 5: @ Kansas City Chiefs

Win. Again, Patrick Mahomes is going to be good, but this defensive line is going to swarm him and the secondary will confuse him. My only fear is Blake Bortles on the road against an underwhelming defense.

Record: 4-1

Week 6: @ Dallas Cowboys

Win. The Cowboys are a mess and if Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t get going the Cowboys fall apart. If it were earlier in the season, I’d be a bit more worried about our interior run defense — but we’re six weeks into the season and our line will be absolutely humming.

Record: 5-1

Week 7: vs. Houston Texans

Win. Sorry, Deshaun. I love you but your defense is overrated, your only receiving threat will be neutralized, your run game is below average, and you’re on the road.

Record: 6-1

Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Loss. The Jaguars have owned London as of late, but this will be one of those games where I think we look back and say Blake Bortles lost us that one. I just don’t see him doing well against a very, very good defense.

Record: 6-2

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: @ Indianapolis Colts

Win. Andrew Luck will be shut down for the season by this point.

Record: 7-2

Week 11: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Win. I thought this would be a tough game for the Jaguars until I saw the locker room imploding over Le’Veon Bell holding out for what he believes to be a fair wage and now it’s hahahahahahahahahaha.

Record: 8-2

Week 12: @ Buffalo Bills

Win. Next.

Record: 9-2

Week 13: vs Indianapolis Colts

Win. Next.

Record: 10-2

Week 14: @ Tennessee Titans

Loss. As I said with the earlier game, the Titans have our number. On the road and on a short week, I don’t like the circumstances surrounding this game.

Record: 10-3

Week 15: vs. Washington

Win. This is when the Jaguars turn the corner from years past. Last season, the arrow was pointing down headed into the playoffs. This year, they beat an inferior team late in schedule.

Record: 11-3

Week 16: @ Miami Dolphins

Win. This Dolphins team will be playing for pride in the game before Christmas while the Jaguars will be jostling for home field advantage in the playoffs.

Record: 12-3

Week 17: @ Houston Texans

Win. I think this is the game that the Texans have to win to get into the playoffs and that the Jaguars have to win to get the No. 1 seed.

Record: 13-3

What do you think? Are we too optimistic? Is another Titans sweep too cynical? Let us know in the comments below!