The 2017 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 23rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Doug Marrone. Marrone was hired after acting as the team's interim head coach for the final two games of the 2016 season. The team improved on their 3âÂÂ13 record from 2016 and ended their 10-year playoff drought dating back to 2008 with a Week 15 win over the Houston Texans. They also secured their first winning season since 2007 after a 30âÂÂ24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. On December 24, 2017, they clinched their third division title, and their first AFC South title following a Tennessee Titans loss. They won the wild card game against the Buffalo Bills 10âÂÂ3, then headed to Pittsburgh, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 45âÂÂ42 to advance to the AFC Championship to face the New England Patriots, the first time that they had made the AFC Championship Game since 1999. Despite leading for much of the game, the Jaguars allowed two fourth quarter touchdowns, and ultimately lost to the Patriots 24âÂÂ20.
The biggest catalyst for the Jaguars success during the 2017 season was their defense. Jacksonville finished in the top of the league in multiple defensive categories, and were considered "historically good" by some analysts. The Jaguars defense led the league in forced fumbles (17), completion percentage (56.8), passing yards allowed per game (169.9), passer rating (68.5) and defensive touchdowns (7). They also finished second in sacks (55), interceptions (21), total takeaways (33), yards allowed per game (286.1) and points allowed per game (16.8). Along with their spectacular defense, the Jaguars were also the top rushing offense in the NFL, averaging 141 rush yards per game.
The Jaguars would neither make the playoffs nor win the division again until 2022.
Draft trades
On December 13, 2016, the NFL announced that the Jaguars would play host to the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London, England, as part of their commitment to the London Games. The game occurred during Week 3 (Sunday, September 24), and was televised in the United States. The kickoff was announced in conjunction with the release of the regular season schedule.
The remainder of the Jaguars' 2017 schedule was finalized and announced on April 20.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.