Jaguars vs. Panthers: Week 17 Staff Predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be relying on backup quarterback C.J. Beathard to snap their four-game losing streak vs. the Carolina Panthers, with the season largely on the line. 

So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Week 17? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: I have no idea where to go on this one, truly. The Panthers are playing better football than the Jaguars as of late -- that is just a fact. The season-long records and trends don't matter. Even with Trevor Lawrence under the helm over the last month, the Panthers have had more fight in them than the Jaguars. 

I am skeptical the Jaguars can produce much on offense with a backup quarterback who is thrown into a bad situation. But, at the end of the day, my gut still says the Jaguars win and snap their losing streak, somehow. 

Jaguars 16, Panthers 13.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: C.J. Beathard, Bryce Young, a showdown to possibly decide the fate of the AFC playoff picture. The end of 2023 is proving to be quite the finish. Multiple playoff teams have been forced to rely on backup quarterbacks to keep their playoff hopes alive, now add Jacksonville to that list. This is a tough game to predict. The Jacksonville offense was struggling with Lawrence at quarterback, it’s hard to imagine it improving too much with Beathard behind center. Luckily, the Panthers’ offense is… not good. Josh Allen and Travon Walker should have a field day against the league’s second-most sacked quarterback.

Jaguars 20, Panthers 13.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: The Duval Devout were served some more bad news with Trevor Lawrence officially missing the start under center this coming weekend. The good news is that they are playing a struggling Carolina Panthers team. Have they looked a smidge better in recent weeks? Maybe. In light of that, this is a game that starts with the Jacksonville defense’s ability to rattle rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

If Josh Allen and company do their job upfront, then CJ Beathard and the offense just have to protect the football. Calvin Ridley is to have his first big day in a while. Also, offensive linemen Walker Little, Ezra Cleveland, and Cam Robinson are the healthiest been they healthiest they’ve been as a trio since Robinson went down. These factors only improve the chance for the Jaguars to come away with a win.

Jaguars 20, Panthers 13.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: If you had asked me in August to write a prediction for week 17 against the Panthers it would've ended up being the most asinine thing I've ever written. There isn’t much about this game that goes according to the 2023 Jaguars plans. The team is in complete disarray, the same mistakes seemingly happen weekly, and Trevor Lawrence is out. I’m extremely shocked the Jaguars remain 4.5 points favorites here because I don’t look at this as a surefire win at all. 

Since firing Frank Reich, the Panthers have played much better football and the Jaguars are following the exact opposite trajectory. I think the Jaguars need to lean on Travis Etienne this week against a weaker run defense and without Trevor Lawrence. Will they? Your guess is as good as mine here. We haven’t really seen Etienne do any real damage since before the bye and this team desperately needs that back. Getting him going will aid Beathard by opening up the play action game and we all know he likes to chuck it. My gut tells me this one does stay close but I just can’t bring myself picking this team right now

Panthers 24, Jaguars 20.

Evan Reier

Prediction: No Trevor Lawrence, zero confidence, a must-win matchup. This is the kind of situation that Jaguars fans couldn't have imagined four games ago, but alas, it's reality.

Honestly, CJ Beathard starting in place of Lawrence shouldn't make a difference. If you can't beat the Panthers with your backup, then you weren't a playoff team in the first place. Fortunately, I think the Jaguars are talented enough in key areas to win.

I see the Jaguars defense getting back on the turnover train with 2 or more here. The Panthers might be able to score some points, but Jacksonville's defense ought to intercept Bryce Young once and probably force a fumble on the way.

The Panthers' defensive line has been terrible at getting pressure, which I think we'll open up chances. With what should be a simplified offensive gameplan, expect lots of underneath stuff to Parker Washington, Evan Engram and Jamal Agnew. I don't think that will translate to an offensive explosion, but it should do enough for the W.

Jaguars 23, Panthers 13.