It didn’t take long for Doug Pederson to make his mark in Jacksonville. The Jaguars were coming off the forgettable Urban Meyer era and in need of a new identity. Pederson was brought in to change the culture in Jacksonville and also help develop quarterback Trevor Lawrence. While the Jaguars started the season slowly with a 2-6 record they were able to bounce back and win the Division at 9-8. With the new season comes bigger expectations for Jacksonville. Can they take the next step this season? Let’s break that down further and offer a record prediction for 2023.
The Good
Like many rookies coming into the NFL, Trevor Lawrence struggled through his first year. The former #1 pick from Clemson was tied for the lead league in interceptions during his debut season in Jacksonville with 17. While the interceptions were troubling Lawrence showed the ability to quickly move on from his mistakes and move to the next play. This trait is especially important for young quarterbacks as they continue their development.
Flash forward to the 2023 playoffs can you can see tremendous growth from Lawrence. He was able to rally his team from a 27-point deficit to the Chargers despite 4 first-half interceptions. Lawrence has always had the physical traits of an elite quarterback but this type of mental fortitude bodes well for his future.
The Bad
If you’re looking for a weakness on this Jaguars team, it’s the offensive line. With the suspension of LT Cam Robinson for PED use, Jacksonville will be thin on o-line for the first 4 games. It looks like they will also start rookie RT Anton Harrison who they drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. RG Brandon Scherff is really the only player upfront with no question marks. In order for the Jaguars to be successful they will need to protect Lawrence. Whether they can do so remains to be seen.
The Prediction
Despite the concerns on the offensive line, I still see the Jaguars winning the AFC South. The talent on offense along with the emergence of Trevor Lawrence will push the Jaguars to one of the best teams in the AFC. If Calvin Ridley can return to his old form the Jaguars will be even that much more dangerous.
2023 Record: 12-5 (1st in the Division)
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