JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars season is back and our News4JAX sports staff is back with its predictions as well. Each Friday, we’ll unveil our predictions for the week’s game.
Kyle Ashley
I’m not going to lie, this game scares me a little bit for a couple of reasons.
First, it’s Week 1, and you’re going against a first-year head coach, so you don’t necessarily know what to expect. Second, everybody and their brother seems to be picking the Jaguars to win. I can’t disagree with them. I’m picking the Jags, too, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make me nervous.
In the past, the Jaguars have had a way of underperforming when you expect them to “handle business,” and this feels like one of those games. Jacksonville is the favorite, they’re at home and they seem to have the better team on paper. Now they have to go out and prove it.
Defensively, with another year under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, you’d expect this group to be able to make Deshaun Watson uncomfortable, force a couple of turnovers and do a good job against the run.
Offensively, Trevor Lawrence has plenty of weapons with Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and maybe a little Travis Hunter mixed in. Another year in Liam Coen’s system should also mean Lawrence has a better command of the offense, and hopefully that translates into even better play.
Weather could play a role, which might mean leaning more heavily on the running backs. Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. could be important in this one. If the Jaguars can run the ball efficiently, avoid mistakes and convert their opportunities in the red zone, I think they should be able to take care of business. — Jaguars 31, Browns 17.
Justin Barney
This is a statement game. The Jaguars have momentum from last year (and plenty of doubt from the national folks). This is a game that Jacksonville could send a message to the rest of the league that last year was no fluke. Trevor Lawrence is poised to take a major step forward this year and it begins this week. — Jaguars 28, Browns 17.
Jamal St. Cyr
This is an easy call. I have the Jags winning easily over the Browns. This is going to a run the ball type of day Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, carrying the workload and possibly a few Cleveland defenders along with it. The Browns may show some fight early, but once the Jaguars’ ground game gets rolling, it’ll be less “dog pound” and more “dog chasing its tail.” — Jaguars 32, Browns 17.
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