2023 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Jacksonville Jaguars schedule. Per NFL research, Jaguars opponents had a 135-148-4 record in 2022 (.477 win percentage), making their schedule the 23rd-most difficult in the NFL.

Circle this date: Week 13 vs. Bengals (Dec. 4)

The Jaguars have perhaps the best roster from top to bottom in the AFC South and as such, they are the presumed front-runner to repeat as division champs. With a fairly easy schedule in 2023, we should know after Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals if they are a true threat in the playoffs.

Eight of Jacksonville’s first 12 games are winnable and the Cincinnati game will serve as a measuring stick for where the team stands compared to the rest of the AFC playoff teams.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 13-15

Three straight games against the Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens is a brutal stretch, but also one that could battle-test the Jags in preparation for the postseason. 

All three opponents could potentially be vying for a spot in the postseason at the time of those respective matchups and if Jacksonville has as easy of a path to the postseason as is believed -- the AFC South is arguably the worst in the NFL -- then this stretch could prove to be a blessing in disguise come mid-January.

Easiest stretch: Weeks 16-18

If Weeks 13-15 will test the Jaguars, Weeks 16-18 could be a walk in the park. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans could be picking in the top 10 of next year’s draft and the Jaguars could potentially have three weeks to rest key players if they have their division wrapped early. Of these three games, the one against the Panthers figures to be the toughest.

Most intriguing matchup: Week 15 vs. Baltimore (Dec. 17)

Trevor Lawrence out-dueled former MVP Lamar Jackson in last year’s 28-27 Jaguars win and it will be interesting to see if he has the same success this time around. During last season's game, the former No. 1 overall pick completed 29-of-37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. This year, he’ll have Calvin Ridley to throw to.

Conversely, Jackson did not have a good game, throwing for 254 yards and just one touchdown. The Ravens have since added Odell Backham Jr., Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor. This game could turn into an offensive shootout.

The Jaguars full 2023 schedule is below and HERE: