The 2019 campaign didn't go as well as the Jaguars had hoped. They entered the year with thoughts of a potential playoff push after signing former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to a contract to become its starting quarterback. That came crashing down, however, in Week 1 when Foles suffered a broken left clavicle that left him out for the bulk of the year. From there, the Jags would fall out of the playoff conversation and finish with a 6-10 record, which found them in last place in the AFC South.
The bright spot for Jacksonville came in the form of rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew, who played well as the starter, leading them to a 6-6 record while under center. After Foles was traded to the Bears this offseason, the path has been paved for Minshew to be the club's starter entering the 2020 season. While Minshew may be a promising player to watch next year, the Jaguars are a team very much in transition. At the deadline last year, the team traded away franchise corner Jalen Ramsey and now may be looking to move on from running back Leonard Fournette and pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue as well.
According to William Hill Sports Book, the Jaguars have a win total over/under of 4.5. Now that the 2020 schedule is out, we decided to take a way-too-early look and project what the regular season has in store for Jacksonville. Along with our predictions, you'll see each club's over/under win total for the season along with the lines for Week 1 and Week 2, via William Hill.
Week 1 vs. Colts
Line: Colts -7
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: Jacksonville will get the first look at Philip Rivers on the Colts and the veteran quarterback will impress in his debut. With an extremely talented offensive line in front of him, Rivers will be able to carve up the Jaguars secondary and connect with his new star receiver in T.Y. Hilton for a number of big plays. Gardner Minshew is able to have an efficient day passing the ball, but newly acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner forces a fumble and makes life very difficult for him as he begins 2020. Colts win 27-13.
Projected record: 0-1
Week 2 at Titans
Line: Titans -11
Opponent win total: O/U 8.5
Prediction: The Jags head down to Nashville for their second straight divisional game to begin 2020 and it has similar results to Week 1. The Titans offense leans on running back Derrick Henry to eat up yards, while Ryan Tannehill hits second-year receiver A.J. Brown for a touchdown. Offensively for Jacksonville, they have a tough time containing Tennessee defensive end Jeffery Simmons, who is able to sack Minshew twice on the day. Titans win 20-7.
Projected record: 0-2
Week 3 vs. Dolphins
Opponent win total: O/U 6
Prediction: While the quarterback situation will still be in a state of flux for the Dolphins as they weigh whether or not to start rookie Tua Tagovailoa or not by this point in the year, Miami's defense will still be extremely stout on a short week playing on Thursday Night Football. They went on a shopping spree this offseason, signing the likes of corner Byron Jones, linebacker Kyler Van Noy and others to help bolster the unit. That secondary specifically with Jones and fellow star corner Xavien Howard will force Minshew to commit two turnovers on the day, one of which is taken to the house for six. With Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins are able to do enough offensively to keep a lead. Dolphins win 17-10.
Projected record: 0-3
Week 4 at Bengals
Opponent win total: O/U 5.5
Prediction: Garnder Minshew and company finally get into the win column in 2020 as they enjoy an upset win in Cincinnati. This is one of the rare instances this season that No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow actually looks like a rookie, which helps the Jaguars en route to victory. They're able to slow down Cincy's run game consisting of Joe Mixon and Jags rookie pass rusher K'Lavon Chaisson is able to mount pressure for the bulk of the game. Jacksonville's passing game is also stellar as Minshew connects with D.J. Chark for two touchdowns. Jaguars win 20-10.
Projected record: 1-3
Week 5 at Texans
Opponent win total: O/U 8
Prediction: He's no DeAndre Hopkins, but Brandin Cooks proves to be a big problem for the Jacksonville defense. The newly acquired Texans receiver is able to pick up a number of chunk plays over the course of the afternoon, which helps keeps a steady distance between Houston and the Jags. Minshew is a bit shaky to start the game, but overall finds his football to have an solid day. That said, he's not at the level to go toe-to-toe with Deshaun Watson at this point. Texans win 24-10.
Projected record: 1-4
Week 6 vs. Lions
Opponent win total: O/U 6.5
Prediction: Jacksonville catches Detroit at a very rough point in the schedule here. After winning the opener, Matt Patricia's club is losers of three-straight going into their Week 5 bye and are a desperate team heading into this matchup. Detroit's defense is able to pick off second-year quarterback Gardner Minshew a couple of times, which is more than enough breathing room for a well-rested Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense. Lions win 20-9.
Projected record: 1-5
Week 8 at Chargers
Opponent win total: O/U 7.5
Prediction: By this point, Los Angeles has already handed the keys to the offense to rookie quarterback Justin Herbert and this is where he gets the first win of his NFL career. The No. 6 overall pick was extremely efficient in his second start, making solid decisions against Jacksonville's secondary. While Herbert will garner most of the headlines, the Jags had a particular problem containing Austin Ekeler, who found the end zone three times. Jacksonville's offense, meanwhile, couldn't get over the goal line for a score and had to settle for field goals. Chargers win 24-9.
Projected record: 1-6
Week 9 vs. Texans
Opponent win total: O/U 8
Prediction: The Jags have the unfortunate timing of getting their second matchup with Houston as they come off their Week 8 bye. This well-rested squad is able to be easy work of the Jags and Davis Johnson has a nice resurgence game, rushing for over a hundred yards. This is also the third-straight game where Jacksonville hasn't been able to get over double-digits. Texans win 23-9.
Projected record: 1-7
Week 10 at Packers
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: Aaron Rodgers is going to have a fire lit under him throughout the 2020 season after the Packers selected his potential successor in the first round of the draft earlier this offseason. That type of motivation matched with his talent level is enough to light up even some of the best teams in the NFL, let alone Jacksonville, who is in the midst of rebuilding. Heading into Lambeau to beat Rodgers will be too much to ask of Minshew and crew. Packers win 24-13.
Projected record: 1-8
Week 11 vs. Steelers
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: I expect the Steelers to bounce back nicely in 2020. With Ben Roethlisberger back under center, Pittsburgh will have a dynamic offense that can pair up with their stout defense nicely. That unit ranked No. 3 in the NFL last season in DVOA and should continue to be just as dominant. When you add Big Ben into the mix to increase the offense's productivity, that's a recipe to beat up on the lower-tier teams in the league, like Jacksonville. Minkah Fitzpatrick, in particular, should have a strong game here. Steelers 26-7.
Projected record: 1-9
Week 12 vs. Browns
Opponent win total: O/U 8.5
Prediction: Under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns should be much more improved next season and could even compete for a playoff spot. The combination of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. in the passing game will be too much to handle for Jacksonville rookie corner C.J. Henderson and the rest of the secondary. Nick Chubb, meanwhile, should have no problem running on this defense either. On the offensive side, Myles Garrett will cause problems for Minshew. Browns win 23-10.
Projected record: 1-10
Week 13 at Vikings
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: The Vikings will use plenty of Dalvin Cook in this game. His success on the ground will help set up play-action for Kirk Cousins, who'll eventually find paydirt through the air. Minnesota won't have to do too much heavy lifting in this game as their defense will be able to handle the Jags offense rather easily as the offense pulls away enough to get the win. Vikings win 24-17.
Projected record: 1-11
Week 14 vs. Titans
Opponent win total: O/U 8.5
Prediction: Tennessee is fighting to keep pace with the Colts in the AFC South and leave nothing in doubt here. Derrick Henry has already begun his late-season surge and bowls over the Jaguars defense, while Jay Gruden's offense can't really get much of anything rolling against this Tennessee front seven. Titans win 21-6.
Projected record: 1-12
Week 15 at Ravens
Opponent win total: O/U 11.5
Prediction: No matter if there are fans in attendance or not, heading into Baltimore to face the Ravens isn't going to be a walk in the park for Jacksonville. Lamar Jackson will look like his MVP self and hit Hollywood Brown for a few deep passes, but Mark Ingram will be the story here, rushing for three touchdowns. Defensively, rookie Patrick Queen does a great job in the middle of Baltimore's defense limiting Minshew's ability to find open passing lanes. Ravens win 28-17.
Projected record: 1-13
Week 16 vs. Bears
Opponent win total: O/U 8
Prediction: Jacksonville has a late Christmas gift for its fans, upsetting the Bears for their lone home win of 2020. Chicago is coming off a road contest with the Vikings, has the holiday in the midst of their preparation for the Jaguars, and simply comes into this game flat. Nick Foles doesn't play particularly well in his homecoming to Jacksonville as rookie C.J. Henderson is able to pick him off and the rest of the Bears offense suffers because of it. Minshew meanwhile, has a strong day, throwing for over 300 yards and finds the end zone twice through the air. Jaguars win 24-20.
Projected record: 2-13
Week 17 at Colts
Opponent win total: O/U 9
Prediction: Indianapolis is still duking it out for playoff positioning at this point, which comes to the dismay of the Jaguars, who were looking to go on a little two-game winning streak to end the year. Instead, the running game of Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor finds a great deal of success on the ground for the Colts, which leads them to a swift win. Colts win 21-13.
Projected record: 2-14
