The Jacksonville Jaguars now knows how their schedule will play out for the 2022 NFL season. The Jags have the fifth easiest schedule based in opponent records from the 2021 season. The Jags have one primetime game at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in December. They open up the season against Carsen Wentz and the Washington Commanders in Washington followed by their opener against division rival, Indianapolis Colts. Doug Pederson first year as head coach will be interesting as the Jaguars will play the entire AFC West and NFC East divisions along with the AFC South division itself with the Jets, Detroit Lions, and the Balitmore Ravens.
It's the AFC West and NFC South along with their division where the Jaguars can show where this team is going under Pederson as these games will mainly take place in the months of October and November.
NFC East and Division Rivals in October
The month of October for the Jaguars is filled with the NFC East and AFC South. Week 4 on October 2, the Jags take trip to Lincoln Financial Field to face Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles made impressive offseason moves like trading for AJ Brown, drafting two Georgia Bulldog standouts in Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean. The Eagles are a favorite to win the NFC East so if the Jags can be competitive in this game will bold pretty good against a playoff team from last season.
After the Eagles, it's back-to-back divisional opponents in the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. First will be the Texans on October 9, Week 5 in Jacksonville. The Jags should be able to win this game as the Texans are in the same position as the Jags going into the season with Lovie Smith as the head coach now. Week 6 (Oct.16) the Jags head to Indianapolis for the second meeting with the Colts. First meeting is Week 2, Sept. 18 in Jacksonville. The goal for the Jags is to split the season series with the Colts like they did last season thus ending the Colts season. These games will have the magnitude as last season, but the Colts are not the same team either. The Colts trading Carsen Wentz (released) for Matt Ryan (trade) to go with Jonathan Talyor and Michael Pittman.
After their two divisional games, the Jags head home for date with the New York Giants in Week 7, October 23. The Giants like the Eagles had a good draft, getting Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon and Evan Neal from Alabama both in the first round. However, the question for the Giants continues to circle around Daniel Jones. The Jags have a real chance of knocking off the Giants before the schedule gets difficulty before the Week 11 bye week.
AFC West Stretch Before Bye Week
From Week 8 to Week 12 will be the toughest part of the Jaguars season with the Bye Week in Week 11. After their date with the Giants, the Jags take the annual trip to London, England in Week 8, Oct. 30, to face Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. The Jaguars are .500 (4-4) in London Games after beating the Miami Dolphins last season. This London will be the beginning of the rough season as the Broncos with Russell Wilson will be their second AFC West matchup (at LA Chargers in Week 3). This London trip won't bold well for Jacksonville.
After the London trip, the Jags head back to Duval County and have the Las Vegas Raiders coming to town in Week 9, Nov. 6. Another AFC West foe in the Raiders, provide another uphill challenge for the Jags. The Raiders will be the second playoff team the Jags will face this season so the question will be can the Jaguars be competitive at home against this playoff team with Davante Adams being Carr's number one target?
Then it gets more difficult in Week 10. On November 13, the Jaguars head to one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL and one of the favorites to win the AFC. Talking about the Kansas City Chiefs inside Arrowhead Stadium. Despite trading star player Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, the Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes with Travis Kelec and Andy Reid running the ship. The Jaguars don't have a chance in KC.
The Jaguars then have their Bye Week in Week 11 before facing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 in Jacksonville on November 27.
The months of October and November will bring the Jags toughest challenges for 2022 season as Doug Pederson's first year on the job. Trevor Lawrence in his second year will be face so of the best or upcoming quarterbacks in the game today. Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. Matt Ryan twice. Russell Wilson in London. Derek Carr at home. Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. Finally, Lamar Jackson at home after the bye week. Not to mention Justin Herbert in Week 3 in LA and Dak Prescott in Week 15 at home.