Jaguars vs. Buccaneers: Week 16 Staff Predictions

The Jaguars will face off against Tampa Bay on Saturday, but who does the Jaguar Report staff thinks walks away as winners?

The Jacksonville Jaguars need a win in Week 16. Their season might just depend on it.

With the Indianapolis Colts facing a reeling Atlanta Falcons team and with the Houston Texans tough to count out in any game, it feels like the Jaguars need to do the sure thing and win out over the final three weeks to win the AFC South. 

That starts on Christmas Eve vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So how does the Jaguar Report staff see Week 16? We break it down below.

John Shipley

Prediction: I am basing my prediction off my thinking that Trevor Lawrence starts on Sunday. If C.J. Beathard was to start, I would be picking Tampa Bay. But I think Lawrence raises the floor and ceiling of the Jaguars' offense just enough against a bad pass defense, even without Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in the lineup. Maybe this is too cliche of a reason to pick Jacksonville, but it just feels like they know their backs are against the wall and they are ready to say enough is enough. The defense played relatively well last week, and I think that can continue this week against Baker Mayfield in a close game. 

Jaguars 23, Buccaneers 20.

Daniel Griffis

Prediction: This is another tough game to predict with so many injuries to take into account. That said, this has to be a bounceback game for the Jaguars. Right? Right? If Trevor Lawrence can go, this is a game the Jaguars absolutely need to win. It’s a three-way race to the finish line as the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans have caught the leader of the pack. The Bucs are a solid team in their own right, winning three straight. An offense featuring Mike Evans and Chris Godwin is always a scary thought. It’s even scarier considering the injuries abundant in the Jaguars’ secondary. Jaguars must get back on track. If Lawrence can go, Jags win.

Jaguars 26, Buccaneers 16.

Kyle Nash

Prediction: In the latest episode of “Will Trevor Lawrence Play”, whether or not the Jags’ franchise player will be out of concussion protocol will dramatically impact the outcome of this game. That being said, offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland and Walker Little participated in practice this week. This could help the Jaguars ability to keep their production balanced with the run to help backup quarterback CJ Bethard should he get the start.

On the defensive side, this is a game where the Jags defensive front could cause some turnovers. Josh Allen and company could make bring Baker Matfield back to Earth in Tampa’s backfield as the Jags win a sloppy game 

Jaguars 21, Buccaneers 17.

Zach Schultz

Prediction: Let's get the obvious out of the way. Trevor Lawrence. We likely won't know for sure if he will play or not until Sunday but you know what? I'm picking them to win regardless. I was really encouraged by the defense Sunday night despite the loss. They got consistent pressure on Lamar all night and if they can create the same push this week, they could easily rack up some sacks against Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers are extremely vulnerable through the air and I think Doug will have a good game plan drawn up. Their backs are against the wall more than ever and I think even if Beathard goes the Jags can score enough to win.

Jaguars 24, Buccaneers 19.

Jackson Dilullo

Prediction: On Christmas Eve, the Jacksonville Jaguars will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the surging Buccaneers. Fresh off of a 381-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Baker Mayfield will look to extend the Bucs’ three-game winning streak to four at home.

With how hot they’ve been playing it’s hard to imagine the Buccaneers offense not having a monstrous effort against the Jaguars defense. While the scoreboard may not reflect it, the individual statistics will; I expect monster games from Mayfield and his pass catchers. Despite the heroic efforts on offense, the Tampa Bay defense—which has been aerially challenged since Brady retired—will keep Jacksonville in this game. Trevor Lawrence will bounce back from a frustrating effort against Baltimore while running back Travis Etienne Jr. struggles and finishes with below four yards per carry for the 10th time since the start of October. Lawrence gives the Jaguars a three-point advantage with time left in the fourth quarter, and Baker seals it with his ninth interception of the season.

Jaguars 27, Buccaneers, 24.

Evan Reier

Prediction: This is the one NFC South team the Jaguars don’t want to face right now. Think Baker is going to be able to find success against the secondary, and the absence of Trevor Lawrence will hinder the offense just enough that I just can’t see them keeping up.

Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 17.