2018 Jacksonville Jaguars season


The [2018 National Football League|NFL season|2018 season] was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 24th in the National Football League and their second under head coach Doug Marrone. This was their first season in new uniforms, which were revealed in April 2018. The Jaguars had hopes of matching or improving on their 10–6 campaign from the year prior, but despite a 3–1 start, the Jags fell into a 7 game losing streak and failed to improve on their 10–6 record after a Week 10 loss to the Colts. After they lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, the Jaguars fell to 4–9 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. They finished 5–11, in last place in the AFC South.

On and off-the-field events

While not as widely covered as the turmoils of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the same season, the 2018 Jaguars experienced several off-the-field incidents as well as conflict among team members. The team was by criticized by the media and fans for missing the playoffs after a 3-1 start, as well as Leonard Fournette’s questionable work ethic and behavior during the team’s seven-game losing streak. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was criticized for calling over a dozen quarterbacks, most notably the Buffalo BillsJosh Allen “trash” before the season started in August 2018.
Before the team’s Week 8 matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in London, several Jaguars players were arrested after walking out on a $64,000 bar tab at the London Reign Showclub. When they were given the bill, an argument broke out, and police were called. The club eventually dropped the complaint and the players were released without charges when the tab was settled.
On November 25, 2018, during the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Leonard Fournette left the bench and fought Buffalo defensive lineman Shaq Lawson. The NFL suspended Fournette one game for violating the league's unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness rules. Jaguars management informed Fournette they were voiding the guaranteed money remaining in his contract as punishment, which Fournette appealed with the league. On December 6, 2018, during the Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans, Fournette was caught on video shouting at a Titans fan in the stands before being restrained.

Offseason

NFL draft

Draft trades
  • The Jaguars traded a conditional sixth-round selection to Buffalo in exchange for defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. This pick became a fifth-round selection after Dareus remained on Jacksonville's roster for the remainder of the 2017 season and the Jaguars made the playoffs.
  • The Jaguars traded defensive end Chris Smith to the Bengals in exchange for a conditional selection. As Smith was on the Bengals' active roster for at least six games during the 2017 season, Jacksonville acquired Cincinnati's seventh-round selection.

Preseason

The Jaguars' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on April 11. Exact dates and times were finalized on April 19, when the regular season schedule was announced.
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1New Orleans SaintsL 20–240–1TIAA Bank Field
2at Minnesota VikingsW 14–101–1U.S. Bank Stadium
3Atlanta FalconsW 17–62–1TIAA Bank Field
4at Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 25–103–1Raymond James Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

On January 11, 2018, the NFL announced that the Jaguars would play host to the Philadelphia Eagles at Wembley Stadium in London, England, as part of their commitment to the London Games. The game occurred during Week 8, and was televised in the United States.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots

The Jaguars recorded their first-ever regular-season win against the Patriots and ended their eight-game losing streak against them, beating them for the first time since their 1998 AFC Wild Card win.

Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

'''NFL London Games'''