Jaguars set to be on the prowl in 2023

The Jacksonville Jaguars have finished off their preseason with three wins and, more importantly, three impressive performances.

These games don’t count for all too much, but they do allow you to gain momentum and build up some steam. The Jags look to have done exactly that and they are looking to build on the success they had last year. 

Head coach Doug Pederson is heading into his second season in charge and he has done a fantastic job of changing the culture in Jacksonville. He inherited a team with some talent, but lacking leadership from the sideline, that has certainly changed. The preseason games have highlighted for me just how well coached the Jags are looking entering this season, the players look refreshed and happy, but also very hungry and efficient. 

Trevor Lawrence is being tipped as the QB expected to take a seismic leap forward this year, and I would be surprised if he didn’t make another jump. He has the skill set to do so too, consistency has been his issue during his short NFL career so far, but Lawrence showed more often than not his outstanding ability in 2022, and this year he needs to step up another gear. His attitude and mentality is second to none, when you listen to him speak, you immediately see just how badly he wants to be the best he can be for his team mates.

That mindset, along with his tunnel vision gives you all the confidence that you could ever need, that he will bring great success to Jacksonville for a long time. Lawrence showed plenty of signs towards the end of last season of what you could expect from him this year, if you take away his first half performance against the Los Angeles Chargers, you see a lot of the skill that has everyone talking about his potential for this season. 

The defence has room for improvement this year and I certainly see them being a more complete defence overall and with that improvement I’m hoping that we see Travon Walker show why he was selected number one overall in last year’s draft. He has said that the game is slowing down now and that is allowing him to clear his mind and focus on causing havoc. Defensively, Jacksonville has plenty of talent and Mike Caldwell their defensive coordinator will be excited more than anything to let his players go out and show everyone just how impactful they can and will be. 

The big focus point of the Jaguars is the offence, on paper, they have so much talent. Tight End Evan Engram was brilliant last year and I’m excited to see him play this year and Christian Kirk had his best ever season statistically in his first year. Kirk signed a big contract in Jacksonville, which certainly turned some heads. I remember doing a piece after he signed, expressing that I saw this as a really good move. Kirk showed lots of promise in Arizona, but he was never going to be involved enough to really make the impact he is capable of. He had a great year with highs for him in receptions, yards and touchdowns, do not be surprised to see him go and set some more personal bests yet again in 2023. 

Now we come to who might be the game changer, Calvin Ridley, he and Lawrence could be a special duo. Ridley is an elite route runner, if that partnership does take off, like expected then this offence could be a whole lot of fun to watch. The signs up to this point have me believing that the time out of the game, won’t take any of the spark away from Ridley’s game, he has been one of the highlights in training, many of his teammates have spoken out regarding his performance in camp and how excited they are for what he brings to the team. 

Without even mentioning Travis Etienne coming off of a great debut season out of the backfield. Tank Bigsby has had some great performances and moments in the preseason and that combination looks likely to be great together this year, which will only help to open the field for Lawrence and his weapons. 

Jacksonville have set up a real chance at being the top dogs in the AFC South for the next few years. A couple of years ago things looked very different but it’s only excitement now for Jaguars fans. The AFC is loaded, it has been well documented just how talented so many teams are and how good the quarterback scene is in the AFC. All I would say is that this Jaguars side have got all the talent needed to make some serious noise in the AFC. This franchise is well and truly on the up and it is a very exciting time to be a fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

My thoughts are that Trevor Lawrence and company could take off this season. Lawrence I can see being in the MVP conversation this year and I see them enjoying success in the playoffs again this season, the question is how far can they go?