With an exciting free agency and an even better NFL Draft, there is a lot of hype among fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the upcoming season. Many hope and expect this to be the season the Jaguars make their long awaited return to the playoffs. But first, they need to make it through the regular season. These are some of the exciting games that will take place for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016:
Week 4 & 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Last year, The Jaguars could have swept the Colts. They almost had it during their Week 4 match in Indianapolis, but the Jags’ kicker Jason Myers blew three chances to put the game away. Later in the season, there was the 51-16 whooping Jacksonville gave the Colts at Everbank. This season, with a healthier Colts roster and an improved Jaguars roster, the two match ups between these AFC South rivals will be fun to watch, with one game being in London.
Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
An at-home match up with the defending Super Bowl champions will be a good way to prove themselves. Granted, the Broncos no longer have Peyton Manning, but they’re still a dangerous team. Pulling out a win against this could certainly be a high point of the upcoming season. Either way, it will be a great game.
Week 8 & 16 vs Tennessee Titans
For the past 7 seasons, the Jaguars have split the season series with the Tennessee Titans. If they look to steal the AFC South title this season, they’ll have to do more than split the season series versus a Titans team that hasn’t performed well in recent years. Winning against the Titans this year may not be that easy, for they are a young team with plenty of potential. Plus, who doesn't want to see those (not) awesome color rush jerseys again?
Week 7 vs. Oakland Raiders
A Bortles vs. Carr match up? Two young teams that made great strides toward improvement over the offseason? Sign me up!
Week 10 & 15 vs. Houston Texans
Since 2011, the Jags are 2-9 against the Texans, including 4 straight losses against Houston. Last season, the Texans won a weak AFC South division. But with certain NFL commentators predicting Jacksonville to take the AFC South crown this season, the team to beat will most definitely be the Texans.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Again, two young quarterbacks will face off late in the NFL season. Will this be like the UCF vs. Louisville game from 2013 where Blake Bortles led the underdog UCF Knights to victory in a game winning drive against Teddy Bridgewater and the Louisville Cardinals? Potentially. But will Bortles best Bridgewater again? Only time will tell.
Week 1 vs. Green Bay Packers
A season opener against Aaron Rodgers and the cheese-head Packers! What could be more exciting than that? Granted, yes, Jacksonville is predicted to lose this one by many NFL experts. Yet that doesn’t stop many Jags fans from hoping for an upset that would shock the NFL world.
