The Jacksonville Jaguars broke out in the 2022 season and ended up winning their division. Can they make an even bigger leap in 2023? What’s funny is it seems like the Jaguars went backward into hiring Doug Pederson in their coaching search last year.
Everyone seemed to be clamoring for Byron Leftwich, but that never happened. They landed on a Super Bowl winning head coach in Doug Pederson, and that could not have worked out better for them in year one.
They went 9-8 and won the AFC South, securing a home playoff game and a top four seed. They look poised to take another step forward in 2023, and the AFC South seems to be theirs for the long-term.
Let’s make some bold predictions for this team in 2023.
Bold predictions for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 season
Trevor Lawrence throws for more than 30 TD passes, and receives MVP votes
Trevor Lawrence broke out in year two and helped lead the Jaguars’ offense back into a relevant and competent point. He threw for over 4,000 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Lawrence in 2022 is exactly the type of player we expected to see when he was taken out of Clemson.
Like Carson Wentz breaking out in year two in Doug Pederson’s system, Lawrence will do the same, throwing for over 30 touchdown passes and receiving MVP votes. Remember, the Jaguars traded for Calvin Ridley, so that’s another weapon added to the offense.
Jaguars win at least 11 games in 2023, flirt with a top three seed in the AFC
I think most would agree that the three best teams in the AFC are the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills. My prediction for them in 2023 is that the Jacksonville Jaguars will win at least 11 games and will flirt with earning a top three seed. I think they’re a better coached team than the Bengals and the Bills, and I think the Bills could end up being that team to slide down one slot in the standings.
The Jaguars are going to be a very good team in 2023. They aren’t the Jags of old.
Jaguars win TWO playoff games in 2023
The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to at least find themselves in the AFC Championship Game this year. They will win at least two playoff games in 2023, led by an elite coaching staff and an elite offense.
Lawrence will flirt with the MVP award, and their running game, led by Travis Etienne, will wear teams down. Their defense won’t be great just yet, but it’ll be plenty good enough to close out games when necessary.
I get that the AFC is an incredibly loaded conference, but I have faith in this club.