Week 17 staff predictions: Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Are the Carolina Panthers just what the doctor ordered for the floundering Jacksonville Jaguars?

The NFL’s worst team by record (2-13) comes to Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium with the Jaguars needing a win to stop a four-game skid and to remain in control of the AFC South.

Something has to give in this game. The Jaguars have struggled at home (3-5) while the Panthers have not won on the road this season (0-8).

A loss could potentially stop the Jaguars from being able to win the AFC South. That would depend on what Houston and Indianapolis do this weekend, as well.

Also, after having a grip on the lead all season, Gene Frenette has dropped the past three, allowing Demetrius Harvey, Juston Lewis and Clayton Freeman to catch him in the standings. Everyone else is just one game back.

Let’s see what our experts think about this game:

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Jaguars beat writer

Jaguars 24, Panthers 10

The Jaguars are on a four-game losing streak and are in must-win mode. Usually, they respond to something like that. The Panthers are the worst team in the league even with a solid performance against the Packers last week. Jags get it done, finally.

Season: 9-6

MIKE DiROCCO

ESPN

Jaguars 27, Panthers 14

At some point, the Jaguars players have to say: “Enough.” That’s what happened this week.

Season: 8-7

GENE FRENETTE

Times-Union Sports columnist

Jaguars 20, Panthers 16

Like the Jaguars, I’ve let the competition get back into the prediction race, but that stops immediately. Whether it’s Trevor Lawrence or backup quarterback C.J. Beathard making his first Jaguars’ start, they can’t suffer what would be the most embarrassing loss in team history by falling to the NFL’s worst team with an AFC South title at stake. The defense has an ideal matchup going against rookie QB Bryce Young (53 sacks) and a Panthers’ offense averaging just 15.7 points per game. Take advantage of it.

Season: 9-6

GARRY SMITS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 16, Panthers 13

It may be ugly. But I refuse to believe the Jags can lose to the worst team in the NFL that also has gone 0-8 on the road this season.

Season: 8-7

JUSTON LEWIS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Panthers 17, Jaguars 13

I thought this might be the week the train got back on the tracks. But I have my doubts after Trevor Lawrence missed two days of practice with a shoulder injury on his throwing arm.

Season: 9-6

CLAYTON FREEMAN

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 16, Panthers 14

The Jaguars couldn’t really lose at home to 2-13 Carolina, could they? The way their last month has gone, it could happen. A key matchup to watch: the Jags’ pass rush against a sack-prone and injury-weakened Carolina O-line. If they allow Bryce Young time to steer the Panther offense as he did last week against Green Bay, Jacksonville may be ringing out 2023 with a disaster against a roster with former Jags including DJ Chark and CJ Henderson.

Season: 9-6

TIM WALTERS

Times-Union Sports Editor

Jaguars 31, Panthers 16

The Panthers are coming off their best offensive output of the season last week in a 33-30 loss to the Packers. The week before, they got their second win of the season by beating Atlanta 9-7 (yuck!). They average just 16 points a game. This is a game the Jaguars MUST win, and I think they do, regardless of an injured Trevor Lawrence or a healthy CJ Beathard.

8-7