The league’s full schedule has been out for over a week, and though the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t expected to win a lot of games, fans are pumped.
After the schedule’s release, we looked at the hardest games within the lineup as the Jags’ strength of schedule ranks 22nd. Now, lets look at the five most winnable games on their schedule as they try to improve their record in 2020:
5.) vs. Houston Texans (Nov. 8)
Make no mistake about it, the Jags’ battles against the Houston Texans are never easy but they aren’t the team they used to be — at least not on paper. They recently took a huge loss after DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals and lost Jadeveon Clowney prior via trade to the Seattle Seahawks.
The issue for the Jags could be the fact that they’re a young team that will be utilizing a new defense and offense. However, they should be a well-oiled machine by Week 9 when the Texans come to TIAA Bank Field and could pull off one of their routine divisional upsets.
4.) vs. Cleveland Browns (Nov. 29)
Like the aforementioned Texans game, Week 12’s game against the Cleveland Browns won’t necessarily be easy, but it is winnable. In fact, they will be coming off a 6-10 record as the Jags had in 2019.
Additionally, both will be entering a 2020 season needing more from their defenses and also looking to find out if they have franchise quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Gardner Minshew II. This is one that could be close and is easy to see going down to the last minute.
3.) vs. Detroit Lions (Oct. 18)
The Detroit Lions are one of the few teams on the Jags’ schedule that had a worse record than them in 2019 (3-12-1). While it’s likely they will improve that figure, they are one of the teams who many could argue that the Jags have more talent than.
The Lions’ defense wasn’t all that great in 2019 ranking next to last in yards allowed (400.4 YPG) and last in passing yards allowed per game (284.4 YPG). While they did add players like Jeff Okudah, Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton, and Desmond Trufant to bolster the unit, the game is so early in the season that the unit may not be clicking yet. If that’s the case, Minshew could be up for a great game in front of the home crowd.
2.) vs. Miami Dolphins (Sept. 24)
It’s likely that the Miami Dolphins will be starting the player most viewed as the best quarterback in the 2020 draft class in Tua Tagovailoa. Despite his talent, however, there should be some growing pains from Tagovailoa and that could work in the Jags’ favor.
In addition to being young behind center, their offensive line could have issues with protection in the early stages of the season. They spent two early-round selections on offensive tackles in Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt, which is a sign they will both likely be starters. That might not be a good thing for Miami as Josh Allen had his way with their starting unit last preseason.
1.) at Cincinnati Bengals (Oct. 10)
This matchup is a rematch from last year that went down to the last quarter. However, Minshew is more polished this time around and he’ll have more weapons on the offensive side in Laviska Shenault Jr., Tyler Eifert, Josh Oliver, and Collin Johnson.
Another thing that could work in the Jags’ favor is the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals will also be starting a rookie quarterback like the Dolphins in first overall pick Joe Burrow. With the game occurring early in the season he’ll still be learning the ropes which could give the Jags’ defense some opportunities to garner a few turnovers.
