Can Jacksonville Jaguars Make the Playoffs Next Season?

The regular 2021 NFL season has come to a close and the 16 playoff spots have been selected. The Green Bay Packers take No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Tennessee Titans occupy the spot in the AFC.

The MVP favorites for this year are Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They played a huge part in their team reaching the playoffs again.

Meanwhile Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is expected to win the coveted Defensive Player of the Year.

So, what’s next for the teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs? More importantly, what about the Jacksonville Jaguars and their chances of reaching the playoffs next season?

To answer that, we must first dissect what went wrong this season.

It all began with the hiring of Urban Meyer as coach. It was supposed to herald in a new era but it backfired in striking fashion. He was ultimately fired in December after many scandals.

In addition, up and coming quarterback Trevor Lawrence wasn’t given the chance to shine. It was, after all, supposed to be his breakthrough year.

Aside from that, many of the key players were out injured including Jamal Agnew and DJ Chark Jr.
Finally, the defense did its job, sometimes. While they stopped runs, they were unable to force turnovers. Their -22 turnover ratio was dead last in the NFL. The second worst team was far behind at -13.

Safe to say, it has been a disaster all around.

Has it been a one-off season for the Jaguars? No, not really.

The last time the Jaguars made it to the playoffs was in 2017. Before that, it was all the way back in 2007.
They were, however, very successful in the early stages and made it to the playoffs four years in a row. In 1996, they were the youngest NFL teams to reach the conference final.

However, since 2000, they have been restricted to only three playoffs and one division title. They are also among the only four teams to not have played in the Super Bowl.

If they are to make it to the playoffs next season, there are crucial aspects they need to sort out.

Find the right coach

The question of who will replace Urban Meyer is one that keeps lingering over the team. They have already wasted Lawrence’s talent for a year and cannot expect that to continue any longer.

Josh McDaniels is a name that has been whispered along the corridors and it’s easy to understand why. He is proven and is known to help develop young talent like Lawrence.

Make use of Trevor

The only positive outcome of the 2021 season has been Trevor Lawrence. Unfortunately for him, he entered a team in disarray and was not able to get off to a good start.

However, his performance in the Week 18 victory shows us how great he can be down the line. Now with the chance to find a good coach experienced in player development, the Jaguars have another chance.

Draft picks

Aside from quarterbacks, the Jaguars need reinforcements across the pitch. The most immediate concerns are defensive end, wide receiver, and offensive tackle.

With the poor performances of Jawaan Taylor and Robinson’s expiring contract, they may potentially need left and right tackle starters. Fortunately, with the first draft pick, the Jaguars could secure Alabama’s Evan Neal, a highly gifted player.

Especially if Lawrence is to succeed, the team needs better players. Since they have the first round pick, they could also attempt to pick a wideout instead of prioritizing a tackle.

There will also be more attention this year. As the NFL gradually gains popularity across the world, there are going to be many more eyes on the Jaguars and their performances.

Especially in the UK, viewers are flocking to watch NFL games, sometimes even staying up to catch games. What was once considered a novelty event is now becoming a favorite in the pubs and living rooms of the UK.

Since the inaugural NFL game in 2007, fans have flocked to catch NFL teams. A 2018 game between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars saw a crowd of 84,000 fans at Wembley.

The growing popularity of the sport will only increase. It is estimated that 1.3 million tuned to the BBC to watch Super Bowl LIII.

And this popularity has also caused renewed interest in betting on NFL games. The UK audience are well known for placing sports bets and traditionally always preferred to bet on sporting events such as football games and horse racing. But, the thrill of NFL has brought a new, much appreciated twist to betting.

A recent study also found that 1 in 6 players in the UK plan on betting on the Super Bowl. The study also showed that 17% of UK gambling players say they have already placed bets. 4% said they intend to while 8% said they may place a prop bet or in-play bet.

Betting on sports and events has not always been popular. However, in recent years, the easing of betting regulations in many US states have caused an increase. Players can easily make bets on most events and the same is true over in the UK.

There is no doubt that the British public love American football. This demand has certainly been met with many providers showing games. Additionally, many betting companies and websites also offer easy access to betting opportunities. In 2014, it was noted that UK betting on NFL has been increasing by 40% year on year. There are even whispers of a UK based NFL team! Exciting times are ahead!