Let's Talk Jacksonville Week 1

[PandaPancake]

I'm already in the pool for our week one opener

[Donald LaFell]

I feel like even if we win the superbowl, and have the best offseason in NFL history I'll still feel nervous about the opener no matter who we play. 

[motocross_cat]

Well, with the large number of Panthers fans that will be attending with Roaring Riot's crew, I hope they can make some noise and make it feel like a Home Game for the Panthers.

The Jag's kinda remind me of Arizona... they are so close to making a move forward, then something just makes it so they can't.

Nothing against them, but here's hope'n they are still a move or so behind making that move forward.

Sounds like us the past 4 years too.

[RoaringRiot]

The Jags are no slouch. They have reasons to be optimistic. However, if we lose that game I'm drowning someone in their pools. I hope it's not Dex but it may be. Just win...

[R0CKnR0LLA]

What's more likely

Jaguars winning the game

No huddlers pee in the pool

[pantherfan49]

The Panthers defeated the Bucs last season for the home opener in Tampa without Cam Newton. 

 

Pretty sure they can defeat Jacksonville, but its not a given. Jacksonville is hit or miss. 

That's the only season opener we've won under Ron. 

[Udogg]

Jacksonville started off playing really well last year.  They had some bad breaks then it started to cascade.   There is definitely talent on the Jacksonville roster.   I don't see this as an easy game at all.  I don't think any NFL game is easy to be honest.  

2 things for whatever reason start slow for us.   First is our running game, and second is our defense.   Hopefully with one "primary" running back not sharing as many reps and getting rid of the poo poo OL players the running game won't start slow.  I'm hoping the much stronger veteran presences on defense  (CJ, Davis, Luke, Tillman) will get the defense playing well early.

This year we can't lose games we shouldn't.   IMO we cannot lose to the AFC South teams (yes that includes the Colts).   We should not lose to either NYG or Washington.   All the others are up for grabs but those are the ones we can't lose.  Do I expect us to win all of those?  No.  But we should. 

 

 

Oh and  WE HAVE TO BEAT SEATTLE THIS YEAR.  It's a must win, despite our record.  

[CarolinaCoolin]

I'll take a year 5 Cam over a year 2 bortles. Panthers win by 20

[imminent rogaine]

Obviously we can be too specific with our predictions but Josh Norman starts breakout year with 60 yard pick-six in the first quarter.

[Kurb]

If they score more than 10 on our D it's a loss no matter what the final score is.

[PntherPryd]

I'd like a repeat of another year ending in '3' where we also played Jacksonville in week one, but with a better ending to the season.

​So you're a Derek Anderson fan?????

 

;)

[Jeremy Igo]

​So you're a Derek Anderson fan?????

 

;)

What to did there...... I see it.

[nctarheel0619]

One of the better offseason threads.  Pie for you, sir.  

[nctarheel0619]

I know it is early but I need some football in my life. Rosters aren't set and depth charts will change quite a bit between now and then but we should be able to discuss the game a bit and the key personnel in this match-up. 

I actually really like the roster they are building down in Jacksonville. The receiver group is talented but awfully young and inexperienced by NFL standards. I'm not sure how much of a product he was of Peyton, but Julius Thomas has some game. TJ Yeldon, Denard Robinson, and Storm Johnson is young group of backs with considerable upside. They have invested some early picks in the offensive line but that unit has struggled quite a bit if I recall. Parnell should bring some consistency to the right side of the line and Brandon Linder had a solid rookie year at guard. I didn't get to watch a whole lot of Blake Bortles last season but his stats at first glance leave a lot to be desired. 

On the defensive side of the ball safety Jonathan Cyprien led the team in tackles and Sen'Derrick Marks and Chris Clemons tallied 8.5 and 8.0 sacks, respectively. The loss of 3rd overall pick Dante Fowler really hurts a defense desperate for a consistent pass rush. The Jaguars struggled to create turnovers and allowed almost 26 points a game last season. They focussed much of their free agency bringing in some quality defensive talent in Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta, and Sergio Brown. I expect the defense to be an average defensive unit by season's end but it may take them some time to gel early on.

I look for Carolina to establish a run game early and stop the run defensively. I don't see Yeldon, Robinson, and Johnson having much luck against our front seven and Bortles should struggle if his line play is at all similar to last season, despite the additions. We need to get up early and force Bortles to throw the ball down the field, allowing our defense to pit their ears back and get after him. Carolina must contain Bortles' legs when the pocket collapses and keep him from making plays with his legs to pick up crucial first downs. In a hot climate on the road week one, Carolina will need to protect the football and keep the defense fresh. I see us winning the field position battle and ultimately a healthy Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, and Kelvin Benjamin will be too much for a young Jaguars team that may take a few weeks to find itself. I suspect it will be a long day for the Jaguars offense if they cannot establish a running game early. EARLY/USELESS PREDICTION: Carolina 27 Jacksonville 13. 

​Good analysis, talking to Jags fans it seems as though Bortles troubles were mostly due to the inconsistency of the O-Line.  We shall see if the O-Line for them has gotten better or not.