JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars season is back and our News4JAX sports staff is back with its predictions as well. Each week, we’ll unveil our predictions for the week’s game. Jacksonville (8-6) visits Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers (7-7) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
Recommended Videos
Jamal St. Cyr
This season: 9-5.
Momentum in sports is a real thing, both positive and negative. Right now, the Jaguars have a ton of negative momentum. But the old saying is that “winning cures everything.” The bad news is I’m not sure if the Jaguars will win this week.I am in the prove-me-wrong stage with the Jaguars. They need to show that they remember how to win a game before I’m ready to pick them to win again.— Buccaneers 28, Jaguars 20.
Justin Barney
This season: 8-6.
Well, I took a stab at the Jaguars actually fielding a functional offense last week and paid the price for that gesture. Jacksonville has so much to play for, but so do the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield has played well and has Tampa Bay right in the thick of things for a division title. I don’t think Jacksonville loses out and implodes like Tennessee did last season. I’m just not entirely comfortable in Jacksonville’s ability to snap out of its funk. But since it’s on the road, where Jacksonville tends to play its best, I’ll lean Jaguars in a close one. — Jaguars 27, Buccaneers 23.
Alessandra Pontbriand
This season: 8-6.
Trevor Lawrence is playing (I think). The Jaguars will be back in the winning column. Period. I expect the Jaguars to play the toughest they’ve played all season. I expect them to be angry, which should (hopefully) translate to good football. The backups will have to show up and show out. This is their chance to make a statement for the Jaguars depth chart. — Jaguars 24, Buccaneers 21.