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Touchdown Jaguars!
Touchdown Jaguars!
Episode 93: Regular Season Preview - Record / Bold Predictions
What if you could predict the highs and lows of your favorite football team's season? Discover our bold predictions for the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2024-2025 season as we kick things off with a bang! Join hosts Phil Smith and James Johnson as we navigate the excitement of a new football season, starting with reflections on recent college victories and a deep dive into the Jaguars' schedule. We'll tackle the emotional rollercoaster of roster decisions and share our optimism for the team's performance this year.
Wondering how the Jaguars' early-season performance could shape their playoff chances? We break down the inclusion of Myles Cole in the final 53-man roster and the praise from General Manager Trent Baalke. With matchups against powerhouses like Miami, Cleveland, and Buffalo on the horizon, the pressure is on Cole to deliver. Tune in as we debate the impact of these early games on playoff positioning and the crucial role of experienced players in high-stakes moments.
Curious about our game-by-game predictions? We've got you covered with detailed analyses of the Jaguars' first five games and beyond. From historical showdowns with the Bills to key matchups against the Colts, Texans, Dolphins, and Browns, we offer insights and predictions on every front. As the season progresses, we delve into midseason challenges against international foes and late-season battles with divisional rivals. To wrap it all up, we share our boldest predictions, including potential rookie standouts and game-changing trades. Don't miss a comprehensive look at what lies ahead for the Jacksonville Jaguars!
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James Johnson and Phil Smith bring you the best and most up to date Jacksonville Jaguars news. "Touchdown Jaguars!" is a tribute to the prospective ownership group "Touchdown Jacksonville!" In 1991, the NFL announced plans to add two expansion teams and "Touchdown Jacksonville!" announced its bid for a team, and Jacksonville was ultimately chosen as one of five finalists. In November 1993, the NFL owners voted 26–2 in favor of awarding the 30th franchise to Jacksonville. James and Phil have been fans of the franchise ever since and have had the honor (and sometimes dishonor) of covering the team professionally since 2017. The rest as they say, is history.
Still running. And no, that's right, let's go. Touchdown Jacksonville 109 yards. Incredible, incredible. Play action Upstairs wide open. Tommy Bohannon Touchdown Jacksonville Looking for Jimmy in the end zone. Touchdown Jaguars. Touchdown Jaguars. Touchdown Jaguars.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the Touchdown Jaguars podcast. Here are your hosts, james Johnson and Phil Smith. Hey, everyone, welcome back to the Touchdown Jaguars podcast. I am your co-host, phil Smith, and joining me, as always, is your other co-host, james Johnson. And Jay, we have made it.
Speaker 1:We are one week away from the start of the regular season and the start of our very, very busy time of the year over here at the touchdown jaguars podcast. But hey, I think I can speak for you when I say we will take football sundays or a football week over any football this week. The rest of the year, as of course you know, college football has gotten started. So this past weekend was a big weekend for us. You know Georgia played. You guys had your big win against Clemson.
Speaker 1:I, as a Texas fan, you know big win against North Dakota State or Colorado State, I should say. But either way, all of our teams coming out victorious, except Boogie. We won't talk about that from a week ago. But regardless, jay, we are here to talk about Jaguar football, and it is that time of the year where we put out our schedule predictions, as well as a bold prediction when it comes to the 2024-2025 Jacksonville Jaguars. Jay, I'm excited to do this and also just excited we've gotten to this point and ready to talk about this team and how we foresee their season going.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know you say we'll take football Sundays over you know any other kind of weekend, but then again, you know, if the Jaguars start off slow, we'll be ready for the season to end quickly. So we'll see how we're feeling after like that first quarter of the the regular football season or, excuse me, the NFL football season. I don't think Georgia's going to really disappoint me um that much in terms of what they're going to do. But yeah, man, I'm glad to be back. As you said, yeah, things are going to be ramping up for us and, um, you know, it's always a fun time. Just, you know, giving our analysis through the season. You know, and hopefully this will be one of those seasons, a magical one, where we're talking about postseason aspirations and eventually postseason games and, who knows, maybe a super bowl, maybe this will be the. We'll see.
Speaker 2:You'll get our predictions in just a little bit on that. But yeah, man, glad to be back, man, and yeah, I can't wait to hear your takes and your thoughts on how the season will go, your bowl predictions, all that good stuff. But before we get into it, of course, as everybody knows, you can follow us on Twitter and that is at TD Jaguars pod. Of course you can follow me at sportsgrind underscore done and feel at feel the Filipino. And also feel free to check out the website touchdown Jaguars dot com. Recently got some new written content up there, so got an article in there if anybody wants to read it, even though we are past final cuts, but it was still an interesting read nonetheless. But yeah, man can't wait to get into it and talk some football.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and everything Jay just mentioned will be in the Linktree link in the show notes of this episode, where you will also find the link to download the SeatGeek app and use our promo code TOUCHDOWNJAGUARS. I know a lot of you will be in the market to download the SeatGeek app and use our promo code touchdownjaguars. I know a lot of you will be in the market for tickets here during the season. So head on over to SeatGeek, download the app, use our promo code and save yourself $20 on your first purchase. And remember that's not only sports tickets, that's concerts, wrestling shows. That is literally everything that you need over there on SeatGeek. So, once again, that is promo code TOUCHDOWNJAGUARS and we really appreciate everybody for the support.
Speaker 1:But, jay, before we dive in to the schedule analysis as well as our bold takes, we do want to cover a little bit of news. That, of course, happened over the past week. We did take last week off and we know that the team had to cut the roster down to 53 and with that, you know, obviously comes heartbreak. You know a lot of these guys are chasing their dreams and sometimes they hit a point in the road where things just do not go their way and, uh, you know we'll discuss if there are any surprises on your end and maybe some disappointments as far as notable names that were waived over the past week Joshua Cephas that was a name that we heard a lot over camp and before camp, of course, we even did a highlight clip of him over on Twitter. Elijah Cooks, big-time fan favorite, austin Trammell, who had himself a couple of solid preseason games.
Speaker 1:As far as players that were released, you're looking at names like Adrian Amos, terrell Edmonds, trey Flowers, as well as longtime resident Tyler Shatley, who was released. And then, as far as some players that were placed on IR as well as the reserve slash suspended list, we have Keelan Robinson, late round draft pick, dewey Wingard, who we knew was going to be out for a little bit, to Sean Gibson, who was coming back. Jay, we actually forgot to discuss that altogether a couple of weeks ago, but Gip is back here and hopefully he can capture some of that magic that he had back in, you know, the 2017, 2018 days. But, jay, you know that's just a really quick rundown.
Speaker 1:They also made some moves as far as adding to the practice squad in terms of an international player, so I don't know if you want to touch on that, but as far as any of those names that were released, waived and then also retained to the practice squad, what takeaways did you have as we were watching all of this unfold? Nobody was claimed by other teams, so they basically got to bring everybody back that they wanted to.
Speaker 2:so anything of note that you think you know we should have our eye on, or again, that was just surprising yeah, I was a little bit shocked and you you mentioned this person that I was really a fan of some weeks ago feel really shocked that denzel mims got cut. Phil, really shocked about that.
Speaker 1:Your guy Jay has been waiting for years for Denzel Mims to be on the roster and he couldn't make the team.
Speaker 2:That's probably it for him.
Speaker 1:Man, I'm sorry, it's time to let go. This is your version of this. Is your? What was the tight end that's with the Ravens now? Well, he's not with the Ravens anymore. Even I can't remember. I can't even remember his name. What was the Josh Oliver Denzel Mims? Is your Josh Oliver?
Speaker 2:right, right, right. But all jokes aside here, yeah, now staying on the subject of wide receivers, though, trammell was a shock that he was cut, because I mean of everything he offered in the receiving game. But then again should it have been a shock because when you're talking about your fifth or sixth receiver right field, at that point you're not looking at their receiving skills, you're looking at how they can help you on special teams. So that kind of does make sense now that I'm thinking about it. So, so that one still, though nonetheless man like I just felt, like you know, he would end up making this team this final 53. And also, you know, we knew if he made it, then Cooks wouldn't make it. So he was one of those bubble guys who I'm not necessarily shocked that he didn't make it, but to see him and Trammell not make it was more so a shocker than anything. And, um, yeah, they, they uh, brought on Tim Jones, or they, you know they named Tim Jones to the final 53 over those two. So that wide receiver six spot, or whatever you want to call it, wide receiver five spot, was somewhat of a shock, but not completely a shocker. Aside from that, man, I mean no big surprises.
Speaker 2:I guess I'm kind of surprised that they're going to roll with the amount of edge rushers that they are now. They released some graphics and you know some depth chart. You know tweets and whatnot, saying that eric armstead, you know, is going to play some defensive end, or they had him listed as a defensive end on there. So that might explain that a little bit. I maybe would have held on to one more edge rusher, but you know, obviously you know the Jaguars. You know they got in their room in their brand new, spanking new facility. They came to a conclusion that you know. They think they have enough help at that position. We'll see in time, we'll tell in terms of if they made the right call there yeah, that's kind of you know.
Speaker 1:I'm glad you brought that up. As far as you know defensive ends, because remember, they traded trevis gibson to the seattle seahawks for a late round draft pick. I can't remember if we figured out what exactly that pick was, but yeah, they feel comfortable with that room. And Jay, I mean, given how that was a little bit of a concern last season and the season before that. Yes, eric Armstead is certainly that Swiss army knife type of guy, but going in with the few amount of guys that they have now, and also one of them being a seventh round draft pick in miles cole, should we be concerned? I mean, there's still a week left. This episode is going to come out tomorrow on the second we're recording here on the on september 1st, but should we expect maybe another move here in the next week? Or this is probably it, I would assume, right yeah, I'm with you.
Speaker 2:I think this is indeed probably it. In the press conference which I didn't get to hear all of it, the press conference that they had after naming the final 53, balki spoke highly and of course he did because he drafted the kid, but he spoke highly of Myles Cole who did have a really good preseason. You know, he always it was every time he was on the field I saw him making some play to some degree, but he spoke highly of Myles Cole and I'm paraphrasing him here. He was saying you know, it's not a lot of guys that Myles Cole size, that can you know, run four, six or whatever it is that Miles Cole ran. You know, as we mentioned, probably in the draft podcast, right, phil, miles Cole, in terms of a physical and a traits, at a trait standpoint, miles Cole, you know, looks like a first round pick from a traits standpoint, which we all know how Trent is enamored with traits long arm, speed, height, all of that stuff. But when you look at it, miles Cole actually played better than a seventh round pick in the preseason. Now will that translate to the regular season? That you know, that's another question for another time.
Speaker 2:But as you said, I'm with you I don't think that they would make another move, that they're very high on Miles Cole and that their belief in him is genuine. But to put that on a seventh round picks plate to me is a lot. But again, when you look at the preseason tape you know he played better than where he was drafted. You could argue he played like a fifth, fourth round pick kind of. So we'll see in time, time will tell.
Speaker 2:But I am excited to watch him accept this challenge. You know the food that they have or everything they have put on his plate. I'm excited to see him accept the challenge because he is one of those players that can be very, very interesting and an X factor for the Jacksonville Jaguars. I wouldn't be surprised if we are like looking back at things. You know, if we make the playoffs, for example, and get 10 wins, I wouldn't be surprised if we're looking back at it and saying like, hey, you remember that one key play that miles Cole made that you know that decided the game. So we'll see in time we'll tell man, I'm certainly rooting for him and we'll see what he brings to the table at that edge rusher three spot yeah, I agree, I'm definitely excited to see him as well.
Speaker 1:And if there's one thing that I think a lot of people are excited about, as we've talked about here in the podcast over the last couple weeks, is Ryan Nielsen and the belief that Ryan Nielsen is going to put guys in positions to win. Here's my concern because, as we've just talked about, seventh round rookie, and you know he's not going to be starting. So you know he's obviously going to be part of that rotation and the expectation is and I think you and I both believe this is that Trayvon Walker is about to have a breakout season. You know, I think that's definitely on the cusp. He's been getting better every single year. I think my concern is not having that guy that is, you know, that veteran guy that can maybe make that play. You know we keep going back to Arden Key because he was a guy. As much as we like to joke about Arden Key and the mayor of Jacksonville being him and the key to the city and all that kind of stuff, he did show up in moments that were big, you know, even though the numbers weren't necessarily huge.
Speaker 1:So my concern is early on in this season, jay, we play a lot of teams that we may be duking it out for in terms of playoff positioning if they don't win the division outright. Right, we were talking about opening up against Miami, playing against Cleveland, playing against in Buffalo. I think that's Monday Night Football. So you're talking about teams early on that you may need a difference maker, and Myles Cole may not be there when it comes to full game speed. So that's something that does concern me. I think that maybe because we see this a lot right In the back half of the season, they start picking up steam, they start to get it, they start figuring it out. But at that point, if you've lost lost, let's say, two out of those three games miami, cleveland, buffalo all of a sudden two of those teams have a win on you, and these are out of division teams fighting for a wild card spot.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean and listen, this is a crazy hypothetical where you know one sack cost you a game, but we know it comes down to a couple of plays, every single game, which is why, again, the lack of veteran presence there is a little bit concerning no, yeah, you have every right to be concerned about it from that veteran presence perspective and I mean, yeah, if it was left up to me, you know, gibson would still be on his team at that defensive end spot with, maybe, miles cole to help provide that guidance for miles cole not to say that josh allen and trayvon can't. But, um, yeah, I agree with you. Yeah, I just hope it's not one of them situations we're looking at and and fans, please don't take this out on miles cole. He's not the one that constructed the final 53, so I hope they're not looking back at it, mad at miles cole for the situation when, in actuality, you know the fingers should be pointed at trent balky and the decision makers. But yeah, you raise a good question there, phil, and I'm with you.
Speaker 1:I have that same concern yeah, like you said this, this isn't on miles cole or anything like that or a lack of belief. It's just you want guys in the trenches that are going to make an impact right away. And will he be able to do that? I think is a fair question. But outside of that, jay, you know, like you said, elijah Cook's a little bit of a surprise between him and Trammell, but you know people were talking about this on Jaguar Twitter.
Speaker 1:The value that Tim Jones brings to the special teams cannot be understated. So the fact that they kept him around shows that how much they value that. And you know we've joked about this kind of in the preseason episodes. But, like, if everything comes together, jay, the Jaguars might have the best special teams group in the NFL. When you throw Parker Washington's ability to return kicks and Devin Duvernay Like we haven't even discussed really Devin Duvernay, who can be thrown in there on a punt, return and bring one back at any moment. So definitely understand the Tim Jones thing. We'll see you. You know, I think at some point we'll probably see Cooks and Trammell called up because of, like, injury or whatever that may be. So other than that, anything else, jay, that you think was notable before we jump into again breaking down this schedule and our yearly bold predictions.
Speaker 2:No, that was it, man, when they released the final 53, of course there were discussions of, like you know, they could have did this better, they could have did that better, but for the most part it looks like what we thought it would look like for the most part, aside from the two spots that we kind of mentioned there. So, yeah, nothing else to add on there.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, let's do it, jay. Let's break down this schedule Now. Of course, there are 17 games, so it's not an even 4-4-4-4 like it has been in previous years. So well, let's do the first five, and that way we can split them up evenly throughout the final 12 games of the season.
Speaker 1:So let's start here with the first five. Obviously, they are opening at Miami down against the Dolphins. They'll then have their home opener against Cleveland. They'll then have the primetime game, which is the Monday night game at Buffalo, and then they go at Houston with a big time division matchup, and then they will welcome the Indianapolis Colts, which will be, of course, the throwback game and the induction of Tom Coughlin into the pride of the Jaguars. So, jay, two big divisional games to wrap up those first five. And then, of course, the first three. I already talked about three big time AFC opponents where we could be fighting them for playoff positioning when it comes to December and January. So how do we look at these first five games? How do you think the team is sitting? Let's say it's October 7thth. What does their record look like after these first five?
Speaker 2:yeah, I got them at um and it's a little hard to decide which three of those five they'll win. But I think they'll win three of those five, most notably the ones that I look at, right, the bills. And I know a lot of people be like you know the bills are like a super bowl caliber team, but history says the jaguars are have been pretty good against the bills, you know, even you know, in times where we couldn't score a lot, you know that's been the case. Remembering the playoffs, feel back in the jalen ramsey days. And then also that um notable I think it was that notable josh allen game, the josh allen battle, where I think we scored like 10 points to beat him. I have to look back at it, yeah, that was the minor game too, which is crazy yeah.
Speaker 2:So, like, our all-time record against the Bills is 10-9. So we have a winning record, and that's probably rare for us to have winning records against Also.
Speaker 1:Jay remember. Because they lost that game, it cost them home field advantage in the playoffs, where they eventually lost to Kansas city, if I recall correctly they probably hate us, bro.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they probably hate us. So, um, yeah, that bills game, I you know, while a lot of people might think we might lose that one, I think we'll win it. You know, I think we will beat the Colts. Of course they do not do well against us at home. It's been a while since the Colts have won in Jacksonville. I think I'll give them that first Texans game, with the X factor being while we will be in Houston, the X factor being that Ryan Nielsen's defense comes through a little bit better for us than our defenses of the past against CJ Stroud. So I think that's going to be the X factor against the Texans is, you know, we might throw some things at CJ Stroud that he hadn't previously seen from us. So those three I'm eyeing as wins.
Speaker 2:I can't come to a conclusion on what will happen in that Dolphins game. I really don't know. You know they're dealing with some injuries, so we have a chance. But traditionally the Jaguars you know we don't look all that great in the home opener or the season opener. And that Browns game, that one feels kind of a game where, just looking at last year I think it was last year right uh, we didn't fare well against them either. But I mean still nonetheless.
Speaker 1:If you come out of this situation with three of those five games as wins, you're in good position heading into those games over in the UK yeah, I'm gonna go three, two, three and two as well, jay, but I will say this you know the game against Cleveland last year that was the game coming off of remember the Trevor injury and he played through it and they only lost 31 to 27. So I do think they are a better team than Cleveland and I, you know, definitely don't trust Deshaun Watson to be any remnants of his former self anymore. I do think they are a better team than Cleveland and I, you know, definitely don't trust Deshaun Watson to be any remnants of his former self anymore. I do agree with you. I think that the Miami opener will be a little bit of a letdown, I think, maybe just because of the speed that Miami possesses. You know people are going to be talking about these two quarterbacks, you know, coming in and making the money that they're currently making. I do feel like, like you said, it is just in their nature to come out and look a little flat in the opener and then correct things down the line. I agree, I think they are going to go into Buffalo on Monday Night Football and maybe turn some heads and win that game, buffalo going through a little bit of a transition here Now. Granted, you know they did totally change their style of play on the back stretch of last season. You know they kind of had a little bit of like an opposite home stretch that the Jaguars did last year and looked pretty good. But, like you said, they play well against Buffalo. I'm going to chalk up a loss to Houston where, again, I think it will be a close game. But you know, still riding that high, I think Houston is unfortunately a better team than they were last year.
Speaker 1:I don't believe in the Stefan Diggs hiring. I think we've kind of touched on that. Uh, the Stefan Diggs signing or trade, I should say, um, still think that might come back and haunt them, um. And then, of course, you know, coming back home and winning in the throwback game against the Colts in front of Tom Coughlin and everybody there, people, people are going to be so excited for that game, jay, everybody's going to be wearing the throwbacks and throwback merchandise and T-shirts and hats and all that stuff. It's going to be great. So I go three and two as well. But I think they're going to split the Miami and Cleveland and honestly, those could also flip-flop.
Speaker 2:I could see them winning the opener and then losing against Cleveland, but I also have them at yeah, yeah, we're on the same page for the most part there, yeah, and I understand where you're coming from. You make a good point about that Browns game that I wasn't thinking about. Yeah, that it was pretty close, right, uh. So, yeah, that one could be easily flipped and, um, yeah, you know we could take that one on my side instead of the Houston one is, which is what you did. So, yeah, those games that Houston game and that Cleveland Browns game that we kind of flip-flopped on, they could, you're right, they can go either way. Um, so, yeah, I mean coming out of this situation. Three and two um, you gotta like the Jaguars chances, if they stay healthy, to be on pace at least within that first five games to make it to the playoffs yeah, and Houston's schedule is no cakewalk either for the first five weeks.
Speaker 1:So they also play Buffalo. Within the first few weeks they play Minnesota, who I think is going to be a little bit better than people think, and then they go. And then they have Chicago at home and you know that's obviously going to be a toss up in terms of Caleb Williams and what that team looks like. But let's get to the next four here, jay. So, as you mentioned, they got two straight weeks across the pond. They have the technically away game against the chicago bears that I just mentioned. So caleb williams, the rookie phenom well, at least everyone's expecting him to be going into his very first game overseas. So that's always a little bit tricky for players that just aren't used to that travel where the Jaguars are going to be and then their quote unquote home game at Wembley against the New England Patriots, who we know are just a team trying to re-find who they are. You know, rediscover themselves is what I will say. But then they come back home to play the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 1:People are very, very high on Jordan Love and the Packers, and for good reason. I mean, I had Jordan Love as my fantasy quarterback last year and remember early on in the season things were looking rough when it came to Jordan Love, but man, did he figure things out on that back nine as far as the season went for the Packers. And then they have another I believe this was a Sunday night game in Philly and that will be against the Eagles. And who knows what that Philadelphia team looks like. All the reports that we keep hearing. Jay is that locker room when it comes to Jalen Hurts and the head coach is in disarray. And who knows what the Eagles are going to look like eight games into the season. So, jay, two games overseas and then two games against what people believe will be nfc contenders. What do we think about these next four?
Speaker 2:yeah, um, as much as we complain about london, it does have its advantages, right, um? So give me both of those wins right there against the bears and the patriots, because you just have two very young quarterbacks having to make that travel, having to make that trip where we're used to making it right, and Trevor Lawrence has been there and done that. Christian Kirk has been there and done that. Evan Ingram has been there and done that. Cam Robinson, all our veterans have been there maybe a size and Campbell Cisco they.
Speaker 2:They know the deal yeah, they, they all know the deal, except for the only one you could probably say is Eric Armstead, right. So everybody else, they're used to it, right. And in the case of that Patriots game, we'll already be over there, you know at that time. So you know that really puts the Patriots at a disadvantage. Not only do you have a rookie quarterback, but you're coming to a Jags team that is awaiting you in London, that has already been there for the week. So you know, like I said, we hate the London situation but it has its advantages. So that definitely should be the case against two rookie quarterbacks.
Speaker 2:What I will say about that Bears game is I've been watching hard knocks lately. I like Caleb Williams and that Bears team a lot more than I did previously. But again, just to have to make that trip over there to London, across the pond where we are used to making that trip. I have a hard time seeing them win that, when they can make it close, no doubt. But I think we will come away from London with two wins Coming back from home against the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 2:I never feel good about coming back from London, right, and I don't think it's a bye week in between there. It is not. So that doesn't make me feel well. Albeit, it'll be a home game and, as you said, Jordan Love is very good. I've always wondered, I've always made this question or made it known. I I think that the Packers should have moved on to Jordan Love a little quicker than they did. You know, they kept him on the bench for a while in terms of officially naming him the starter, but that's neither here or neither there.
Speaker 2:So I'm going to put an L there with the Eagles. As you said, they're in disarray, so it's a little bit hard to know what we're gonna get. Man, if they're in the kind of turmoil that we're hoping they're in. Right, that's a win, but I am gonna put that as a loss. Um, I would love for us to look great on Sunday night football, you know. I would love for us to have a game like we had against the Chargers in the playoffs, you know, again on NBC and show the nation what we're about. But I will give the edge to the Eagles there and I have them coming out of that stretch. What 2-2.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I definitely understand that and I'll say, with the Patriots game, at least come week seven, I think Jacoby Brissett will probably still be the starter, but who knows? I mean I don't have the Patriots schedule here in front of me. I mean, we all know how difficult it is when it comes to a team. You know they say all the right things, right, they're like no, we're going to let our rookie sit and we're going to have the veteran go. But when you start losing a few games in a row actually I have their schedule up here right now right, okay, so week one Cincinnati, uh, seattle, the Jets, niners, dolphins, texans those are the teams they play before they even get to Jacksonville and remember, and that's going to be at Wembley. So you're looking, these are six games they can lose, jay, because that roster is just not very good, and I think they'll probably be the first to admit that behind closed doors. So, who knows, it could be Drake May by the time week seven rolls around.
Speaker 1:But I certainly like Caleb Williams in regards as just as a leader and a person. I haven't been watching hard knocks, but I have been seeing some clips and hearing things about his leadership and just the type of person he is. Anybody that's rooting against Caleb Williams for any of those lame reasons, that's corny. I don't want to hear any of that. Caleb Williams is part of this new generation to teach men to just be, to accept who they are, and I'm always going to root for that. I definitely won't want him to win against us when it comes to that matchup, but I think Caleb Williams is saying all the right things, doing all the right things. Love that for him, love that for Chicago, but I do think those are going to be back-to-back wins. So, like you said, you know being over in London is very good for us. So I think they go 2-0 there. I agree with you Coming back from London is always rough and playing a really good Green Bay Packers team.
Speaker 1:I'm going to chalk that up to a win for Green Bay and I think they win that primetime game. I think they go 2-0 in primetime here and then it's just going to fuel the fire of Jacksonville. Shouldn't have any more primetime games. Look how well they play when they're not in Jacksonville. We're going to hear all that noise. But I think they're going to beat Philadelphia, who? Again, I don't know who they're going to. I don't know what that team is going to be. You know, halfway through the season they could easily be seven and oh, eight, no, or they could be, you know, three and four or something like that. So I'm going to give them another victory there in prime time and I have them going three and one in that stretch, so go.
Speaker 2:So they'll be at the midway point. They will be based on my, on my number six and six and three through the first nine. Yeah, I mean, if either one of our outcomes come out to be true at that time at the midway point, let me see I got them at. Let's see one, two, three, four, five, I have them at five wins. So you know, one win less than that, five or six wins, man, we're feeling good.
Speaker 1:Four, you still feel pretty good yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, you're feeling good about yourself Now. Look, you know, we all know how the Jaguars went down the stretch around this time last year, so that'll be in the back of our minds.
Speaker 1:But if we're healthy and we come out with five to four wins, yeah no reason to feel optimistic or no reason not to feel optimistic about us again being on pace to make it to the playoffs and, jay, not to totally distract us here. But I just want to let you know that Julia has debuted at NXT no Mercy tonight for Roxanne Perez. So if you guys are wrestling fans, you're not watching NXT. We'll call it NXT TNA, right, because that's what NXT has been lately you need to watch if you're looking for some good wrestling. Just wanted to let you know that breaking news, jay. That just happened a few minutes ago.
Speaker 2:No, no, very important to this program, Very important, yeah, I mean, as you know, I mean and people have heard me on other podcasts too I'm big on underground wrestling, so Julia's, her debut in NXT is a huge deal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she's the real deal. Yep, the fact that Roxanne Perez is being entrusted with these big time international stars just goes to show how big of a star Roxanne is going to be. And she's what? 22 Jay, something like that. So crazy for her. So sorry, guys had to get a little. Uh had to get a little wrestling talk in there. Back to the Jaguar football uh, they're getting into. So they have games. Week 10, 11, 11,. Week 12 is the bye, and then 13 and 14. So, starting off with Minnesota at home, and then they will go to Detroit to play the Lions. After that, once again, is the bye week, and then they will host Houston on December 1st and then they will have their first game against the Titans in Nashville on December 8th. So, jay, vikings, lions, texans and Titans Two divisional games and two NFC North games. How do you see these playing out?
Speaker 2:Yeah, this is a tough, interesting stretch for that Vikings game. I will say give me a win there because they're home. And you know, I know you said you know you feel like the Vikings can be an underrated team, but I think we still are talented enough, if healthy at that point, to get a win over them, especially at home. That Lions game, man like the Lions have Super Bowl potential man. So I'm and especially, going there. Give me a L there, although I know this, the Jacksonville Jaguars are not afraid of the Detroit Lions. We can recall we went over there last year for the preseason and you know they tried to bully us around at practice. We weren't having it. You know they tried to like it. I think we had what two joint practices there. Phil and the Jacksonville Jaguars went and showed them up, called them on their bluff and you know, by most reports, everybody that went there, all the reporters, the Jacksonville Jaguars actually looked better than them. So that's something to keep in mind there.
Speaker 2:But in this case I'm going to take the Lions, with the Jaguars having to travel there. We got that game against the Texans, that one at home. Give me another win. Sweep the Texans, you know, get that bitter taste out of our mouth from the Lions loss and then the Titans in Tennessee. You know, the Titans are always pesky to us. It's hard to see us sweeping the Titans. Although most people would argue they are at the bottom of the AFC South, nonetheless they still are a sneaky, scary team that could sneak a lot of teams. So at Nissan Stadium, I'll take a loss there. I'll take a loss there, and you know, I guess I'll, kind of you know, give everybody a little preview into the future. Give me the win for us at home in terms of when they have to face us at Everbank.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think this is going to be a tough stretch for them. Minnesota I do think that one is going to be a win. As I mentioned, I do think that team could be better. It's a real bummer. What happened with JJ McCarthy man? I don't know that I really believe in him as a quarterback prospect. I don't know how you feel about him, jay, but I do think that with Sam Darnold, I mean, I think they could be a 500 team but still be competing for that final playoff spot.
Speaker 1:Detroit I also agree with you. I think that will be a loss. Detroit I think, like you said, super Bowl aspirations. I think they could easily be in the Super Bowl this year. They addressed all of their concerns while retaining, I believe, most of their core players. We'll see if we can get a guest on around that time when they're about to play Detroit, but I'm big on them. I've talked about this before. Detroit was my first NFL fandom because I went to elementary school for four years in Michigan. That was. Those were the Barry Sanders, scott Mitchell, herman Moore, johnny Morton days, when they were just absolutely awful, even though they had arguably the best player in football with Barry Sanders. So love seeing the success they're having now. Also, we love Dan Campbell going into the bye, you know, I think that's good.
Speaker 1:Heading into the Houston matchup. I will chalk this one up to what did I have? I had them losing to Houston the first time around. They split with Houston last year. I think this is the.
Speaker 1:I think this could also be a loss, jay, because I, like I said, I think this is a rough stretch for them and I think this is where people are going to start panicking a little bit.
Speaker 1:And they'll also lose it at Nissan Stadium against Tennessee. So that's three straight losses against two very good teams, we think, and then a team that just has our number. So a win against Minnesota and then three losses in a row Detroit, houston and Tennessee which for me would leave them at seven and six heading into the final stretch there. So, like I said, I think Houston is better this year and until I need to see some flaws in them, jay, I know we did split with them last year, but I unfortunately have bought into this team as a really good team when it comes to Houston. I think Jacksonville obviously is a very good team as well and that will show in these final four games that we have down the stretch, but one in three in this stretch. Jane, I think we're due for maybe a little bit of a late season slump, and you know, the storyline kind of writes itself oh my God, is it happening again?
Speaker 2:Yeah, makes a lot of sense. Makes a lot of sense. Yeah, I can see, you know, houston sweeping us, but in my case I got them. You know us what, splitting with them or no, I got us sweeping them. So, yeah, I can see that as well, with us sweeping them. My thing is, you know and I'm a big believer in CJ Stroud Remember when they were having that conversation about what quarterback to take of the big three that year? My answer was CJ Stroud.
Speaker 1:So you know, know, I'm no one plays against georgia like that on accident.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's exactly what I said right in the podcast. Yeah, you don't play against georgia like that on accident. So, yeah with him. Though it's just that you know that second year slump man like is he, is he due for one? Um, I think he could be not to say that second year slump can be a terrible season, but just, you know a season where, um, you know he doesn't play as well as he did last year, but yeah, you know, time will tell on that and um, as you said, man, yeah, I agree with pretty much everything else there. Um, I think that was the only one that we would split on, if I'm not mistaken yeah, pretty much the same, except for the houston game.
Speaker 1:So, uh, they'll head into their final four games. Uh, at least at my count, at seven and six. What is it for you, jay? Is it also seven and six?
Speaker 2:I'm also at seven and six too okay.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, you know we both got to seven and six, just different ways in terms of wins and losses, but the final four games, jay, going to be huge. We're looking at the Jets. What do the New York Jets look like? Is Aaron Rodgers still playing on December 15th Probably not December 22nd at Las Vegas home against Tennessee and then at Indy to wrap up the season? So, jets, raiders, titans, colts what do you see happening here, jay? Uh, let's see. That is aaron rogers, maybe asterisk gardner, minshu will, mayonnaise levis and then maybe anthony richardson, if they can keep him upright yeah, with the jets one.
Speaker 2:If aaron rogers is there, give me a l there, unfortunately. Uh. So that'll for me two straight loss, when you include that Titans one For the Raiders. I will take Jacksonville there. As we all know, that roster needs a lot of work and even though the Jaguars will be traveling to the West Coast, I will take them over the Raiders. I just have a hard time seeing gardner men's shoe beat them if they're healthy. And then that titans game at home.
Speaker 2:I took a um, as I said earlier, I took a l when they went to nissan. I think they'll win this one and it will be close nonetheless, because for some reason, like, we just just play to the Titans level or worse when we play them for some reason, even when we have better teams within them. But I think we'll. We'll not show, maybe, a game when the field goal, whatever the case may be, but a win is a win. And then the Colts in Indianapolis.
Speaker 2:As me and you have said, anthony Richardson is a player that, if it all clicks, he can be very, very dangerous. But so far, from what we've seen in him, it looks like he's still learning the ropes, and rightfully so right, because he missed a lot of last season. So, like we really like gotta kind of treat this as his rookie season a little bit, uh. That being said, um, you know, at this point this game is going to mean a lot to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last year their last game of the year uh meant a lot to them too, against the Titans, and they still lost. But I think they right their wrongs this time and actually get the W to end the season and, um, you know, that'll put them at what double-digit wins for me and they would then, at that point, be in the playoffs.
Speaker 1:Yeah, jay, I don't know if this is surprising or not, or maybe even an early hot take 4-0. I got 4-0 against the Jets, raiders, titans and Colts to finish the season strong. So we're going to have that slump 1-3. Sky is falling, everyone on Jack Ward's Twitter is panicking. And then 4-0 down the stretch Beating the Jets.
Speaker 1:I don't think Aaron Rodgers is even going to be playing at that time. You know, I definitely don't wish injury upon anybody, wish a bunch of things on Aaron Rodgers, don't want him to necessarily get hurt. I think, like you said, they beat Gardner Minshew if he is even the quarterback at that time, beating Tennessee and then beating Indy in Indianapolis. I think they can take advantage of this schedule here. As far as teams being maybe out of it, I think the Jets will maybe still be in contention because their defense should be pretty good. If they get Hassan Redick they'll be even better. But I think they can win these four games against these teams and finish the season at 11 and six. So I believe you have them at 10 and seven, we have, I have them at 11 and six down the stretch.
Speaker 1:But yeah, jay, these are four winnable games. You know you definitely get worried when it comes to those divisional matchups, but I just think they're better than the Jets. I know they're better than the Jets, I know they're better than the Raiders At least they should be. And yeah, win those two divisional games to wrap up the season and I think they'll be right there, neck and neck with Houston. As far as who wins that division, I have them again going 0-2 against Houston, so that will likely be the difference between who wins the division. But yeah, jay, I have them wrapping up. I mean not that you're that far off, three and one, but 10 and seven season 11 and six for me. I think we would be very happy with that if this is how it plays out.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I mean, especially on that last stretch. You know writing your wrongs from last year and you know finishing. You know, in your case four and oh, or my case three and one, you finish the season with a lot of momentum and that's kind of how Doug Peterson got to the Super Bowl in 2017. They just had so much momentum, like even with Nick Foles replacing Carson Wentz, they had a lot of positive momentum, if I can recall that year and you know that momentum, I think just kind of like trickled into the playoffs and um, they just carried that momentum through the playoffs and you know, the rest is history. They want they went to the Super Bowl. Don't know if that momentum will help us in that way, but I would love to have, you know, a three and one stretch, or four and zero stretch, um heading into the end of the season, because I would go into the postseason highly confident in this team.
Speaker 1:Yeah, jay, and with that murderer's row that we're expecting in the AFC, any type of momentum will be beneficial. So lock it in folks 10 and six, or 10, 10 and seven for Jay and 11 and six for me, as far as our schedule predictions, so I'm sure that won't come back to haunt us. That's never happened when it comes to these episodes. But, jay, anything else you want to mention in terms of the schedule before we move into? Obviously, what is the most anticipated part of every part of this season, which is our bold predictions. Anything else on the schedule you want to mention before we move on?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'll add this I think a lot of people might be shocked with our outcomes, as Trent Baalke haters right. So in this case, this would mean you know Trent Baalke did what he needed to do, right, which you know like when I thought about it too, I do think what will help this situation is, for the first time ever, probably, looking at Trent Baalke's draft history, let's say looking at his class, he might have the most complete draft class he's had ever in terms of you know, when we look at it back, at it in hindsight, how everybody contributed. I think for the first time in his career, I think he might have a draft class where you know, for the most part, everybody contributes and if that's the case, that will help them to get the 10 wins as well. I also think this too, for them to get to the 10 wins as well and this is another story for another time I think he finally has to have the guts to make a significant trade in November, right.
Speaker 2:A lot of times you know teams of the Jaguars magnitude that are good but not quite Super Bowl caliber. They need that one player to, you know, help them down the stretch, and you know we saw that kind of. I think what year was that? Phil 2017, where we got Marcel Darius to help our run game woes, uh, or that might have been the year before, but, um, you know, a trait similar to that where you add a guy who can help you win that extra game to, you know, get you into double digit wins, or 11 wins in your case, which is also double digit wins. But I think those are the key things to keep in mind here is that Trent Balky might finally have put together a draft class where he could get contributions from everybody. And also, you know, I do think a big trade needs to happen in November to help this team.
Speaker 1:I agree. I think it should be somewhere on the on the defensive line probably. You know, as we just talked about at the beginning of the top of this episode. I think that would definitely be something to to keep an eye on when it comes to to upgrades that this team and Trent Balky can make. But, jay, let's get into our 2024, 2025, bold predictions. Now. These have varied in terms of success. Actually, I don't know. I would have to go back and look at some of them. I know last year mine was Trevor Lawrence will be an MVP candidate, and listen, when they were cooking and they were 8-3, I don't, I mean, I don't. He wasn't necessarily getting like the discussion as far as the national media, but if he, if he, had continued to play at the rate that he was, who knows what could have happened? Jay, do you remember what yours was last year? It was something about the defense, correct?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I had, Was it a? Yeah, it was. It was the rookiebacker we got, uh, getting nine sacks or something like that.
Speaker 2:Oh no, you see yeah, you see abdullah getting nine sacks or maybe even 10, like I thought he was gonna have a season like houston um, from the lions he had as a rookie where he had like double digit sacks and uh, yeah, that didn't turn out all that great because abdullah was not active. Yeah, I think he played like two games, but most of the games he was inactive yeah, that, uh, that one fell a little short as well.
Speaker 1:But let's get into some bold predictions. I only have one, jay. Maybe some others will come to us as we discuss this, but here is mine Now. I thought about going really bold with my Brian Thomas Jr prediction and I said you know what, let me scale it back a little bit. I would like one of these to be correct eventually, because you know I'll never live down the. I already forgot the Josh Oliver one from a few years ago. But I am going to go similar to what I said with with Josh Oliver a few years ago and this, I think, is still pretty bold. But it is a step back from what I was originally thinking.
Speaker 1:I think, based on what we've seen in the very small sample size and I think, just as the season moves on and he gets better and his chemistry with Trev gets better as well, I'm gonna say Brian Thomas Jr will lead rookie receivers in touchdown catches. Now listen, he's gonna have some big time competition. I think probably at the top of that list with him will be Xavier Worthy. Now a lot of people are gonna be talking about what about Marvin Harrison? What about Malik neighbors? Like they've got like tackling dummies throwing to those two guys Like those are, I don't think I think they'll have good seasons. But I don't believe in Kyra Murray, certainly don't believe in in Daniel Jones.
Speaker 1:Keon Coleman, I think could be a dark, not even a dark horse. I think he's going to be very good, but I think they're just going to move the ball around so much and depend on Kincaid and James Cook and all of that. I think maybe Keon Coleman will have a little bit less touchdowns in that offense than he would elsewhere. Ladd McConkley could also have a pretty good season with Keenan Allingon and Mike Williams and then, of course, roma Dunzey, depending on how well Caleb Williams is. Well, you know Caleb Williams is and and and, but Roma Doomsday has a lot, of, a lot of help in that wide receiver room when it comes to Keenan Allen.
Speaker 1:Dj Moore, who somehow I think is still incredibly underrated when it comes to DJ Moore. So I think, brian Thomas, because of his size and because of his ability to be put in positions that you know Calvin Ridley was put in, that he necessarily shouldn't have been in. When it comes to Calvin Ridley's skill set, I think thomas could be at the top of that list. We're talking anywhere between 10 to 12 touchdowns, jay, and he could be at the top of that list when it comes to his rookie class and all these other guys there I'll take it any day of the week, um, because I am contemplating getting a brian thomas jersey and if he gets us 10 touchdowns my purchase would be very valid.
Speaker 2:Uh, validated at that point and yeah, no, I can. I can see that like that's not out of the realm of possibilities. I don't think he'll have like 1,000 yards, um, as a rookie, but you know, that's just as effective. You know, when you're talking about a 10-11 win season, when you have a rookie that can lead you in touchdowns, that could be the difference that gets you that 10th win, that 11th win. Right, because we all know the margin of error in the NFL is real small. So, yeah, I mean, when factoring in your prediction and my prediction, something like that is going to have to happen for the Jacksonville Jaguars to get double digit wins, to have to happen for the Jacksonville Jaguars to get double digit wins. And if Brian Thomas comes away with that amount of touchdowns, then yeah, then we're probably ending up in the playoffs and we're very optimistic about his future with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you know, in this fantasy football guide from SB Nation, you know they just point out who had the most touchdown receptions in college football last season Wasn't Marvin Harrison, it wasn't Malik Nabors, wasn't Roma Dunze, it was a Brian Thomas Jr who remember Malik Nabors running mate at LSU with 17. So because of the vertical threat and because of just his size and his ability to to snag those 50-50 balls that you've been talking about, jay, I think they're going to lean heavily on him. Between him and Gabe Davis, I think I can see Christian Kirk's touchdown numbers going down a little bit and Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr kind of splitting that role as far as in the red zone. But yeah, give me BTJ leading the rookie class of receivers in touchdown catches. So, jay, what about yours? Did you go team prediction or did you go individual? Where'd you land this year?
Speaker 2:Yeah, and one thing I want to add about the receivers that you mentioned Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. Man, it's like I'm really excited about them too, because when you look at their skill sets, neither one of them like really. I'm really excited about them too, because when you look at their skill sets, neither one of them like really. When you look at their skill sets, I guess what I would say is a lot of their catches are like for 15 yards or more. You know what I'm saying. So like to have two receivers like that on one offense is kind of interesting and we'll see. You know what they have planned in terms of Trevor Lawrence and the connection and you know with Doug Peterson and Press Taylor have up their sleeves and, yeah, in terms of my prediction, it is an individual one and it is for a defensive player.
Speaker 2:So I went on the opposite side of the ball. I went with Andre Sisco leading the league in interceptions with six to seven I'll say seven for the sake of the podcast, because we've all heard it right Like Ryan Nielsen and his defense, how it's catered towards making the Jaguars best players be able to do what they do best. I think that'll help Andre Cisco. And remember now last year, while Nielsen was with the Falcons, my second team right, jesse Bates had what Six picks. Last year, while Nielsen was with the Falcons, my second team right, jesse Bates had what six picks, and I think that was good for a league high too. So I think that'll apply to Andre in this case, and I think he might actually get one up on Jesse Bates with the seven pick season, which would lead the NFL.
Speaker 1:I love it. It will further solidify my decision to purchase an Andre Sisko jersey last year and, yeah, I think that's a really good point. When it came to Nielsen and Jesse Bates, who had just an outstanding season himself, so, expecting to see Sisko put in those positions to to continue to flourish and I would I would definitely love to see this and and could also very much see it happening in terms of the interception. So I love that one, jay, yeah, I think defensively man, just because of the scheme and because of Ryan Nielsen and I've already mentioned this earlier in the preseason, like I'm, I'm excited for this defense man. Again, you know we have the concerns when it comes to the, obviously the pass rush, but you know Eric Armstead's presence there. Man is going to be so great. And then Trayvon Walker taking that leap that we expect him to. I can definitely see Andre Sisco taking advantage of of that front. You know that defensive line getting pressure and maybe forcing up some, uh, some passes that cisco can take advantage of yeah, yeah, absolutely, man.
Speaker 2:So yeah, I can't wait to see what cisco looks like. And another thing to factor in there, phil. You know andre is playing on a contract year if you don't get a deal done um soon.
Speaker 1:So he sees that money that everyone else is getting, he's like there you go, man, give me some of that.
Speaker 2:We saw what it did for josh allen, yep.
Speaker 1:So yeah, this man might just go ballistic on in the picks category and I wouldn't be shocked at all now they got some contracts coming up that we're gonna have to discuss, right, uh, I mean, they've gotten Campbell, jha and Trev out of the way coming up, we've talked about it, we've touched on it Travis, etienne, andre, sisco so we will see how those discussions go and how these guys play to to earn that money. But, jay man, this was, this has always been, you know, one of our most fun episodes every year heading into the regular season. I know we have a lot of things planned.
Speaker 1:Our 100th episode is only a few episodes away will likely, uh, just be I say just, but it will be a good episode, obviously, but it'll probably be just, you know, one of the uh, the post game episodes that we always put out. So I don't know what we're going to try and get planned. We certainly will try and get something special happening, but we will see. But, jay, anything else you want to talk about? Schedule wise, bowl prediction, wise, anything else before we we head into the regular season? Obviously, we got Miami coming up and expecting big things from this team, based on what we said here today.
Speaker 2:No, man just can't wait to get into the season and, yeah, see this team possibly turn some heads. And yeah, a lot of people I'm looking at a lot of predictions, right, a lot of predictions don't have the Jaguars making the playoffs and here we are talking about they're going to win 10 or 11 games, right? So, yeah, man, um, hopefully, our you know predictions come to end of fruition so we can talk noise to a lot of national analysts, right, then again, that might not be a good idea because we might need them to come on our podcast. But, uh, yeah, man, as always, a fun episode, as you said, you know, you know where you can find us, touchdownjadwarscom, ladies and gentlemen, for our content and archived episodes. Uh, you can follow me at sportsgrind, underscore dunn, at phil, the filipino for phil, and at tdjadwarspod on twitter for the touchdown jadwars podcast handle. But that's all I got, man.
Speaker 1:Yep Link tree link in the show notes of this episode. We got everything nice and tidy for you. And then, as another reminder, download that seat geek app and use that promo code touchdown Jaguars this season. Get yourself some tickets, treat yourself to a concert, to a sporting event, to whatever a courtesy of touchdown Jaguars, save yourself $20 folks. To whatever courtesy of Touchdown Jaguars, save yourself $20. Folks. It's almost here. We are a week away, we have made it. Jaguar football is right around the corner and everything you need when it comes to the Jaguars this season each and every first down, each and every sack, each and every interception and, most importantly, each and every Jaguar touchdown. Do not forget to tune in to Touchdown Jaguars and we will see you next week.