JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ The Jaguars will open their 2020 season against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field on Sept. 13, the same opponent they defeated in last season's finale.
The Colts have a new starting quarterback, Phillip Rivers, who has been a nemesis for the Jaguars. Rivers torched the Jaguars for 24 touchdowns in nine games against Jacksonville when he played for the Chargers.
The Jaguars will open and close their season playing the same team (Indianapolis, 2002) for only the second time in franchise history. The Sept. 13 opener and Jan. 3 finale, respectively, are the latest dates the franchise has started and finished the regular season since 2015.
"It's a chance, an opportunity to get yourself a lead," Coach Doug Marrone said. "The best way to make the playoffs is to win your division. Going in there early and finding out about your football team."
The NFL has made contingency plans in case the season is not able to start on time due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Jaguars will play an eight-game home schedule at TIAA Bank Field for the first time since 2012.
The Jaguars are not playing two home games in London because the NFL called off its annual International Series due to the pandemic.
Hoping for a turnaround with a rebuilt roster of young players and new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, Marrone hopes the Jaguars will fare better than last season's 6-10 record, or their 5-11 performance in 2018.
