Jags start the first of back to back division games this week when they take on the Texans then the Colts. After that the Jags will go almost two months before they see another team in the AFC South again. Then they see the Colts and Texans in consecutive weeks all over again and a game with the Titans the very next week. It’s a bit of an odd schedule set up for the Jags this season not only do they have their divisional games spread out pretty sporadically through the year but they have a stretch in December where they play every AFC East teams back to back to back.

The reason I bring this up is there is an order of importance that each NFL team must follow to give themselves the best chance to make the playoffs. Most important games to win are division games, then conference games, and finally out of conference games. The way the Jags schedule sets up if they can get hot at the right time they will play the most important games at the end of the season. November 8^th through December 30^th the Jags will play all AFC teams. So while this game is important for the Jags to win it’s not the end of the world if they don’t. Every game is important but a split with last year’s division winners is a step in the right direction. Win this week and the Jags have a can stand to lose when the two meet again later in the year. Lose this game and the Jags @ Texans match up in November becomes a must win game.

You never know what an NFL season will bring between injuries, suspensions, and rookies emerging as stars. While it’s fun to pick wins and losses at the beginning of the year it’s extremely difficult to be accurate. So we don’t know what the Jags and Texans will look like in November we do know what they look like right now. The Texans look like a dominating Super Bowl contender and the Jags look like they will struggle to stay competitive. It’s a week to week league and that can all change if the Jags can find a way to pull of the upset.