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Jaguars' 2018 schedule released: Coughlin's return to New York pegged for Week 1

The team will look to get back to the playoffs with a much tougher schedule (on paper) this season.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jaguars released their 2018 schedule on Thursday.

The campaign will kick off with Tom Coughlin's return to MetLife Stadium. The Jaguars will travel to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants in Week 1.

Jacksonville will make its return to prime time on Nov. 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars were held out of the national spotlight during the regular season last year.

Jacksonville will also host the likes of the New England Patriots (Week 2) and Washington Redskins (Week 15) this season. The Jaguars will host the defending Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles, in London in Week 8.

The Jaguars will face some tough tests on the road as well. Jacksonville will head to Buffalo for a wild-card playoff rematch with the Bills (Week 12) and take on the Chiefs in Kansas City (Week 5).

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Along with the Jaguars' regular-season schedule announcement, the team also finalized its preseason schedule. While the order of the opponents was released earlier this month, times and dates have now been assigned to the exhibition games.

PRESEASON WEEK 1

Opponent: New Orleans Saints

Date/Time: Thursday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

PRESEASON WEEK 2

Opponent: Minnesota Vikings

Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 18, 1 p.m.

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium

PRESEASON WEEK 3

Opponent: Atlanta Falcons

Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

PRESEASON WEEK 4

Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date/Time: Thursday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Location: Raymond James Stadium (AWAY)

Below is the Jaguars' entire 2018 regular-season schedule:

WEEK 1

Opponent: New York Giants

Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m.

Location: MetLife Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 3-13

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 3-3

It'll be a homecoming for the Jaguars' top football boss in Week 1. Coughlin will look for some revenge after he was unceremoniously dumped by the Giants following the 2015 season. New York has won just 14 games in the two seasons since Coughlin left town. Ben McAdoo, Coughlin's replacement, has already been shown the door.

WEEK 2

Opponent: New England Patriots

Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 16, 4:25 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 13-3

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 1-11 (including last year's AFC Championship Game loss)

The rematch at the top of every Jaguars fans' viewing list will take place in Week 2. The Jaguars will host the Patriots in Jacksonville's home opener. The Patriots have gone through another intense offseason makeover and the Jaguars will look to take advantage of some of their notable departures. If you aren't excited about this game, you may want to check your pulse.

WEEK 3

Opponent: Tennessee Titans

Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 23, 1 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 9-7

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 20-27 (0-2 in 2017)

After being bested by their division rivals twice last season, the Jaguars will try to right the ship against the Titans this year. The Jaguars offense has gotten younger and faster, which should improve Jacksonville's chances against Tennessee. A home-field advantage should be on full tilt at TIAA Bank Field in late September.

WEEK 4

Opponent: New York Jets

Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 5-11

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 6-7 (0-1 in 2017)

The third of three home games in September will feature the Jaguars hosting the Jets. While New York's 2017 season left a lot to be desired, the Jets were able to defeat the Jaguars, 23-20, last year. If the Jaguars can start 3-0 or 2-1 at home, they will be well on their way to repeating last year's success.

WEEK 5

Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 7, 1 p.m.

Location: Arrowhead Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 10-6

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 6-5

The second quarter of the season is probably the Jaguars' toughest four-game stretch on paper. Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL and the Chiefs appear to be a wild card of sorts due to their switch at quarterback. If Patrick Mahomes excels early, this game could be a huge test for the Jaguars' defense.

WEEK 6

Opponent: Dallas Cowboys

Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 14, 4:25 p.m.

Location: AT&T Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 9-7

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 3-3

This matchup features one of the strongest challenges for the Jaguars' run defense on the season. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot will look to test the Jaguars' front seven early and often at Jerry World in Week 6. A reunion with former Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns is on the docket.

WEEK 7

Opponent: Houston Texans

Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 4-12

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 13-19 (2-0 in 2017)

While the Texans' 2017 record was putrid, their poor results were largely due to the absence of several key players. With Deshaun Watson, Whitney Mercilus and J.J. Watt returning to the lineup, Houston should offer a much more serious challenge for the Jaguars.

WEEK 8

Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

Date/Time: Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. EST (1 p.m. in London)

Location: Wembley Stadium (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 13-3

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 3-2

This will be the biggest London game in the history of the NFL's International Series. The Super Bowl champions against the AFC runners-up from last season has all the makings of a serious heavyweight fight. The Jaguars' defense should matchup very well against the Eagles' offense. This will be a "must see" game at Wembley.

WEEK 9

Bye Week

WEEK 10

Opponent: Indianapolis Colts

Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m.

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 4-12

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 12-22 (2-0 in 2017)

If Andrew Luck returns to full health, this will be a game worth paying attention to. The Jaguars dismantled the Colts - twice - last season and will look to repeat that success with this campaign. New wide receiver Donte Moncrief may look to pull out all the stops in his return to Indy.

WEEK 11

Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 18, 8:20 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 13-3

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 14-11 (2-0 in 2017, including divisional playoff win)

The last time the Jaguars played on Sunday Night Football, Jacksonville lost to Pittsburgh, 26-21, at then-Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Oct. 5, 2008. The Jaguars will look to make a statement in their return to prime time football, as they attempt to win their third-straight matchup against the Steelers.

WEEK 12

Opponent: Buffalo Bills

Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 25, 1 p.m.

Location: New Era Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 9-7

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 8-8 (1-0 in 2017, wild-card round win)

Hopefully, there will be more points in this one than in the Jaguars' 10-3 wild-card round win over the Bills in January. The Bills have made wholesale changes after sleepwalking into the playoffs last season. The Jaguars will try to take advantage of a Buffalo team in flux.

WEEK 13

Opponent: Indianapolis Colts

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 4-12

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 12-22 (2-0 in 2017)

As mentioned before, these matchups scream "Luck or bust" for the Colts. The Jaguars will probably hope for the latter result.

WEEK 14

Opponent: Tennessee Titans

Date/Time: Thursday, Dec. 6, 8:20 p.m.

Location: Nissan Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 9-7

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 20-27 (0-2 in 2017)

It's the return of Thursday Night Football's Titans-Jaguars rivalry. Who else is excited? Okay, we'll wait to see what both teams' records are before deciding.

WEEK 15

Opponent: Washington Redskins

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m.

Location: TIAA Bank Field (HOME)

Opponent's 2017 record: 7-9

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 1-5

The Redskins are rolling with Alex Smith at quarterback these days and it will be interesting to see how he fits in with Washington early on. The Jaguars will be in the home stretch at this point, so every game counts. This will be the Jaguars' regular-season home finale.

WEEK 16

Opponent: Miami Dolphins

Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 22 or Sunday, Dec. 23, TBA

Location: Hard Rock Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 6-10

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 4-4

The NFL hasn't made up its mind with this part of the schedule yet, so there is some room for intrigue here. Could both Florida teams force the league's hand into giving Jacksonville another primetime game?

WEEK 17

Opponent: Houston Texans

Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m.

Location: NRG Stadium (AWAY)

Opponent's 2017 record: 4-12

Jaguars' all-time record vs. opponents: 13-19 (2-0 in 2017)

This game could settle the division. It could also be a major letdown matchup for both teams. The journey will be fun to watch in the meantime.

Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.

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