jacksonville jaguars

Team Overview

The Jacksonville Jaguars are poised for a bounce-back in 2025 under new head coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone. After a brutal 2024 with 10 one-score losses, the Jaguars return Trevor Lawrence, bolstered by a revamped offensive line and a dynamic draft class led by Travis Hunter. For survivor pool players, the Jaguars offer intriguing mid-season value, especially at home, but their tough early schedule demands caution.


Team Roster Review

Offense

  • Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence (3,641 yards, 18 TDs in 2024, injury-shortened season), Mac Jones, Jake Haener. Lawrence’s recovery from a 2024 shoulder injury is key; his mobility and arm strength drive the offense.
  • Running Backs: Travis Etienne (1,102 yards, 11 TDs in 2024), Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson. Etienne’s explosiveness pairs well with Coen’s creative run schemes.
  • Wide Receivers: Brian Thomas Jr. (984 yards, 7 TDs in 2024), Travis Hunter (rookie, dual-threat), Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis. Hunter’s versatility as a WR/CB adds unpredictability.
  • Tight Ends: Evan Engram (88 catches, 926 yards in 2024), Brenton Strange. Engram remains a reliable target for Lawrence.
  • Offensive Line: LT Cam Robinson, LG Ezra Cleveland, C Mitch Morse, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Anton Harrison. Six new additions via free agency and draft bolster a unit that struggled in 2024.


Defense

  • Defensive Line: Edge: Josh Allen (10.5 sacks in 2024), Travon Walker, Arik Armstead. Interior: DaVon Hamilton, Maason Smith (rookie). Depth and youth improve pass rush.
  • Linebackers: Foyesade Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma. Oluokun’s tackling (142 in 2024) anchors a solid group.
  • Secondary: CB Tyson Campbell, Travis Hunter (rookie), Ronald Darby; S Andre Cisco, Antonio Johnson. Hunter’s two-way potential adds flexibility.
  • Special Teams: K Cam Little (89% FG in 2024), P Logan Cooke. Consistent kicking and punting provide field position edge.


2025 Draft Class

  • Round 1, Pick 2: WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado) – Dynamic two-way player, 1,152 receiving yards in college.
  • Round 2, Pick 35: DT Maason Smith (LSU) – 6.5 sacks in 2024, disruptive force.
  • Round 3, Pick 67: LB Barrett Carter (Clemson) – Athletic tackler, adds speed.
  • Round 4, Pick 102: OL Donovan Jennings (USF) – Versatile lineman, depth piece.
  • Round 5, Pick 135: WR Xavier Legette (South Carolina) – Big-play threat.
  • Round 6, Pick 167: S Keon Sabb (Alabama) – Ball-hawking safety.
  • Round 7, Pick 199: RB Cody Schrader (Missouri) – Power runner for depth.


Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

  • Offense: 19.8 points per game (25th), 339.5 total yards per game (20th), 5.6 yards per play (22nd). Struggled with consistency due to injuries and O-line issues.
  • Defense: 27.3 points allowed per game (28th), 356.2 yards allowed per game (24th), 5.8 yards per play allowed (26th). Pass defense was a weak point.
  • 2025 Outlook: New schemes under Coen (offense) and Anthony Campanile (defense) should improve efficiency. A healthier Lawrence and upgraded O-line boost scoring potential, while Hunter’s secondary role strengthens pass defense.


2025 Schedule Analysis

Week Date Opponent Location Time/Network Win Probability Survivor Pool Fit
1 Sun, 9/7 Carolina Panthers Home 1:00 PM, FOX 68% Good: Favorable matchup vs. a rebuilding Panthers team at home. Solid Week 1 pick.
2 Sun, 9/14 Cincinnati Bengals Away 1:00 PM, CBS 42% Poor: Tough road game vs. a playoff contender with Chase and Higgins. Avoid.
3 Sun, 9/21 Houston Texans Home 1:00 PM, CBS 55% Moderate: Revenge spot after 2024’s controversial hit on Lawrence. Risky but viable.
4 Sun, Sep 28 San Francisco 49ers Away 4:05 PM, FOX 38% Poor: Facing a strong 49ers team on the road is a trap. Avoid.
5 Mon, 10/6 Kansas City Chiefs Away 8:15 PM, ESPN 35% Poor: Prime-time road game vs. the Chiefs is a survivor pool landmine. Avoid.
6 Sun, Oct 12 Seattle Seahawks Away 1:00 PM, FOX 45% Poor: Cross-country trip against a tough defense. Fade in survivor pools.
7 Sun, 10/19 Los Angeles Rams Home 9:30 AM, NFL 48% Moderate: London game adds uncertainty, but Rams’ road struggles make this a potential pick.
8 BYE - - - - -
9 Sun, 11/2 Las Vegas Raiders Home 4:05 PM, FOX 62% Strong: Post-bye home game vs. a middling Raiders team. Prime survivor pick.
10 Sun, 11/9 Houston Texans Away 1:00 PM, CBS 48% Poor: Divisional road game with low win odds. Avoid.
11 Sun, 11/16 Los Angeles Chargers Away 1:00 PM, CBS 44% Poor: Facing a strong Chargers team on the road is risky. Fade.
12 Sun, Nov 23 Arizona Cardinals Away 4:05 PM, CBS 50% Moderate: Neutral matchup, but road games are risky in survivor pools.
13 Sun, 11/30 Tennessee Titans Home 1:00 PM, CBS 70% Strong: Home game vs. the league’s worst team in 2024. Top-tier survivor pick.
14 Sun, 12/7 Indianapolis Colts Away 1:00 PM, CBS 46% Poor: Divisional road game with a tough Colts defense. Avoid.
15 Sun, 12/14 New York Jets Home 1:00 PM, CBS 58% Good: Jets’ inconsistent offense makes this a safe home pick.
16 Sun, 12/21 Denver Broncos Away 4:05 PM, FOX 43% Poor: High-altitude road game vs. a playoff hopeful. Fade.
17 Sun, 12/28 Indianapolis Colts Home 1:00 PM, TBD 54% Moderate: Divisional game, but home advantage helps. Risky for survivor.
18 Sat, 1/4 Tennessee Titans Away 1:00 PM, TBD 65% Good: Late-season road game vs. a weak Titans team. Viable pick if available.
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Notes on Key Stats from 2024

  • Close Games: The Jaguars lost 10 games by one score, showing competitiveness despite a 4-13 record.
  • Turnovers: Lawrence’s 14 interceptions and Etienne’s fumbles (4) hurt in clutch moments.
  • Pass Defense: Allowed 7.2 yards per pass attempt (27th), a focus for improvement with Hunter’s addition.
  • Home vs. Road: 3-6 at home, 1-7 on the road, highlighting home-field value for survivor picks.


Survivor Pool Strategy

The Jaguars are a Streamable team for 2025 survivor pools. They’re not a top-tier anchor like the Chiefs or Eagles but offer value in specific weeks due to a favorable late-season schedule. Their home games against weaker opponents (e.g., Titans, Jets) are prime spots, but early-season matchups against playoff-caliber teams and a brutal travel schedule (29,006 miles) make them risky before Week 9. Save them for mid-to-late season when their schedule softens.


Best Survivor Picks

  • Week 1 vs. Carolina Panthers (68% win probability): A home opener against a rebuilding Panthers team is a safe start. Carolina’s new coaching staff and young QB make this a low-risk pick.
  • Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders (62% win probability): Post-bye, at home, against a Raiders team with QB uncertainty. A strong mid-season option.
  • Week 13 vs. Tennessee Titans (70% win probability): The Titans were the NFL’s worst team in 2024, and this home matchup is a slam-dunk survivor pick.


Weeks to Avoid

  • Week 2 @ Cincinnati Bengals: Facing Burrow, Chase, and Higgins on the road is a recipe for an upset. Avoid.
  • Week 5 @ Kansas City Chiefs: A Monday night road game against the Chiefs is a survivor pool death trap.
  • Week 10 @ Houston Texans: Divisional road games are always risky, especially against a Texans team with playoff aspirations.


Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

  • London Game (Week 7): The Jaguars’ experience in London (playing there annually) gives them an edge, but the Rams’ offensive firepower makes it a coin flip. Use cautiously.
  • Divisional Matchups: The Jaguars face Houston, Indianapolis, and Tennessee twice each. Avoid road divisional games (Weeks 10, 14) due to familiarity and upset potential.
  • Bye Week Timing: The Week 8 bye allows recovery before a soft late-season stretch, making Weeks 9, 13, and 15 ideal for survivor picks.
  • Rookie Impact: Travis Hunter’s two-way role could disrupt opponents, but his inexperience adds variance in early weeks.


Final Verdict

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a sleeper survivor pool team for 2025, with three strong home games (Weeks 1, 9, 13) against weaker opponents. Their early schedule is daunting, with road trips and playoff teams, so save them for the second half when their matchups soften. With Trevor Lawrence healthy, a bolstered roster, and Coen’s offensive creativity, the Jaguars are a calculated risk worth taking in the right spots. Plan to use them in Week 13 against Tennessee for maximum safety.

  • Should I pick the Jaguars in Week 1 for my survivor pool?

    Yes, Week 1 vs. the Panthers is a solid pick. Jacksonville’s home advantage and Carolina’s rebuilding roster make it a low-risk option. Just ensure you save stronger teams for later weeks.

  • Are the Jaguars a good survivor pool team in 2025?

    They’re streamable, not elite. Weeks 1, 9, and 13 offer safe home matchups, but their early road-heavy schedule and divisional games are risky. Use them strategically in mid-to-late season.

  • What’s the biggest trap game for the Jaguars in 2025 survivor pools?

    Week 5 at Kansas City. The Chiefs are a juggernaut, and a prime-time road game screams upset potential. Steer clear to avoid an early exit.

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