Schedule Preview – Jaguars
May 26, 2022
By Noonefromtampa
This a new feature this year in which we will review each of the Washington Commanders’ opponents for the upcoming 2022 season. We will look at key roster changes, any coaching changes, what the team did last year, and won-loss history against Washington.
Game Details
Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
When: Week 1 – Sunday, September 11 at 1:00PM
Where: Home game at Fed-Ex Field
TV Network: CBS
2021 Jaguars
Record: 3-14 – picked first in the draft for second consecutive year
Offense: 27th [passing 24th, rushing 22nd]
Defense: 20th [passing 17th, rushing 23rd]
Points Scored: 32nd
Points Allowed: 28th
Head-to-Head: 1-6 all-time from 1997 to 2018, with the lone win by the Jaguars in Jacksonville in 2002
The 2021 version of the Jaguars were not very good and it led to a major overhaul of the coaching staff and roster.
Jaguars Coaching
The Urban Meyer in the NFL experiment failed in spectacular fashion last season, so former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson takes over at the helm. In his five seasons with the Eagles (2016-2020), Pederson’s record against Washington is 8-4 with three playoff appearances and a Super Bowl win in the 2017 season.
He has two first year coordinators working for him. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor is a former colleague from the Eagles where he was the offensive quality control assistant and quarterback coach under Pederson.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Caldwell is a 15 season NFL assistant, primarily a linebacker coach with the Eagles, Cardinals, Jets, and Buccaneers.
The “All-Name” Jim Bob Cooter is the passing game coordinator and brings a wealth of experience from years of working with Matthew Stafford in Detroit, which should help in the development of Trevor Lawrence.
Jaguars Schemes
Based on what people who follow the team are projecting, the defense will be a base 3-4 defense with multiple fronts but the team will probably spent a lot of time in a 4-2-5 look because of how frequently teams run “10” and “11” personnel groupings. Caldwell spent time on the staffs of both Todd Bowles and Jim Johnson, so we’ll most likely see an attacking defense who goes after the quarterback.
On offense, Pederson is an Andy Reid West Coast-style offense disciple. The Jaguars will want agile lineman (like Brandon Scherff) who can execute zone or stretch running plays. Tight ends are expected to block in the running game and be an outlet in the passing game. The wide receivers have to be precise route runners who can execute West Coast offense route tree.
Roster Changes
Key Losses: LB Myles Jack (PIT), G Andrew Norwell (WAS), WR DJ Chark (DET), G A.J. Cann (HOU), LB Damien Wilson (CAR)
Key Additions: WR Christian Kirk (ARI), G Brandon Scherff (WAS), LB Foyesade Oluokun (ATL), CB Darious Williams (LAR), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (NYJ),WR Zay Jones (LVR), TE Evan Engram (NYG)
Draft Picks: DE Travon Walker (1-1), LB Devin Lloyd (1-27), G Luke Fortner (3-65), LB Chad Muma (3-70), RB Snoop Conner (5-154), CB Gregory Junior (6-197), DB Montaric Brown (7-222)
Key Players Returning: QB Trevor Lawrence, LT Cam Robinson, G Ben Bartch, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Marvin Jones Jr., DE Dawuane Smoot, LB Josh Allen, LB K’Lavon Chaisson, CB Shaquill Griffin
Conclusions
In theory, you really couldn’t ask for a better opening game for the Commanders. A team that did poorly in the prior season, new coaching staff, young quarterback, a roster with a lot of new players on it and home field advantage.
With the way the schedule is ordered this season, the Commanders cannot afford to get off to a slow start. They need to come out strong in the first couple of games and define what kind of team they are going to be this season.
While the Jaguars figure to be better under head coach Pederson, it should take a few weeks for the team to come together with all the changes, especially on defense. Washington needs to exploit that opening.
Noone’s Prediction
Behind an energized Commanders fanbase, Carson Wentz has a good game, and the defense is able to thwart Jacksonville’s offense.
Commanders 24 Jaguars 10