2024 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule: Who has the QB advantage, Trevor Lawrence or opponent?

The Jacksonville Jaguars will face some of the NFL's best quarterbacks in 2024.

The NFL schedule will be released May 15, but we already know who they will be playing, we just don't know when.

Today, we look at quarterback matchups between the Jaguars and their opponents, and give our thoughts on which team has the QB advantage.

AFC SOUTH OPPONENTS

Jaguars vs. Texans

CJ Stroud vs. Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars and Texans will meet twice in 2023, as per usual with the AFC South foes. Last year they went 1-1, but CJ Stroud performed better in an overall sense.

In the Texans’ 37-17 victory, Stroud was 20-for-30 for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lawrence was 27-for-40 for 279 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

In the Jaguars’ 24-21 victory, Lawrence was 23-for-38 for 364 yards for 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He had a rushing touchdown, but was credited for zero yards rushing. Stroud was 26-for-36 for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns. He rushed 6 times for 47 yards and 1 touchdown.

Advantage: CJ Stroud. Stroud has not thrown an interception against the Jaguars. He threw for about 100 more yards than Lawrence overall in 2023, had two more touchdowns and nine fewer interceptions.

Jaguars vs. Colts

Anthony Richardson vs. Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars defeated the Colts both times they played in 2023. Rookie Anthony Richardson got injured in their first meeting, and Gardner Minshew started and threw three interceptions in their second meeting.

Richardson is expected to be the Colts’ starter in 2024, but if he gets hurt again, Joe Flacco will be backing him up. Gardner Minshew has since left for the Raiders.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence was a combined 44-for-62 for 422 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INT against the Colts in 2023.

Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

Will Levis vs. Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars handled the Titans in their first meeting in 2023, but the Titans got the better of the Jaguars in the season-finale, eliminating Jacksonville from the playoffs.

In the Titans’ loss, Will Levis was 13-for-17 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence was 24-for-32 for 262 yards and two TDs.

In the season-ending loss, Lawrence was 29-for-43 for 280 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Ryan Tannehill got the start in his final game as a Titan, with Levis out injured, and he led Tennessee to victory.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. It’s still unclear how good Will Levis will be. He had moments in 2023 where he shined, but he also had his rookie struggles. In all, he played in nine games and threw for just over 1,800 yards. It’s a far cry from Lawrence’s more than 4,000.

HOME GAMES

Jaguars  vs. New England Patriots

Drake Maye vs. Trevor Lawrence

Will rookie Drake Maye start? Or will it be Jacoby Brissett? Brissett is listed in early depth charts as the starter, but Maye could win the job. Who knows?

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. At this point, you’d have to take the Jaguars’ franchise cornerstone over a journeyman or rookie.

Jaguars vs. New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers vs. Trevor Lawrence

Aaron Rodgers returns after sitting out all but three plays of the 2023 season. At age 40, can Rodgers find his magic again, or will he age like most QBs (except Tom Brady) do at age 40?

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. Until Aaron Rodgers shows something other than having alternative opinions, you have to go with the younger, more durable Lawrence. Lawrence struggled some playing through multiple injuries, but he showed he can play through the pain.

Jaguars vs. Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love vs. Trevor Lawrence

With Aaron Rodgers out of Green Bay in 2023, Love got to take the reins after sitting for two years behind the future Hall of Famer. Love played all 17 games last year, throwing for 4,159 yards, 32 TDs and 11 INTs. He also led the Packers into the playoffs, where they got a playoff win over Dallas before bowing out to eventual Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco.

Advantage: Jordan Love. Love and Lawrence both rounded out their third year, and while Lawrence has played in more games, I lean toward the player and team that looks like it might be just a bit better. This one was a tough decision.

Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings

JJ McCarthy vs. Trevor Lawrence

Rookie JJ McCarthy could be the opening day starter, but so could backup Sam Darnold. Either way, Trevor Lawrence is much better than either right now. The Vikings are rebuilding while the Jaguars are in win-now mode.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has had back-to-back 4,000-passing yard seasons. Darnold has barely broken 3,000 in a season at any point in his career, and we’re not sure what McCarthy can accomplish at a professional level.

Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson vs. Trevor Lawrence

This may be a London game. Regardless, Deshaun Watson may be the highest-priced disappointment in NFL history. He broke the record for guaranteed money, and has had just 1,100 yards in each of his two seasons there. Injuries have limited him to just six games each year. The Browns no longer have Joe Flacco waiting in the wings to bail the team out. If Watson gets hurt, it would be touchdown-and-interception machine Jameis Winston.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. If Deshaun Watson can find the form he had in 2020 when he had 4,823 yards, he can be more dynamic than Lawrence. It’s hard to envision that happening in 2024, but you never know.

AWAY GAMES

Jaguars at Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams vs. Trevor Lawrence

Everyone is excited about Caleb Williams, but he’s also getting a lot of early criticism before showing anyone anything at an NFL level. This game could be the Jaguars' other London game, which would also favor the UK-tested Jaguars. It’s a tough place for a rookie to start.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. Just like with rookies JJ McCarthy and Drake Maye, you have to favor the more experienced Lawrence.

Jaguars at Detroit Lions

Jared Goff vs. Trevor Lawrence

The Lions almost made it to the Super Bowl. They gave the 49ers everything they had in a 34-31 loss in the NFC Championship game. Jared Goff has far exceeded expectations in his three years in Detroit, and with weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and a stout defense led by Aidan Hutchinson, this team is poised for another deep playoff run. The Jaguars and Lions will always be linked by Hutichinson, who went No. 2 in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Travon Walker, who went No. 1.

Advantage: Jared Goff. Goff has thrown for 9,000 yards over the past two seasons, with 59TDs and 19 INTs. He should have another big year this year, especially after getting his four-year, $212 million extension on Monday. He’s got better weapons and a more cohesive team, giving him the advantage over Lawrence.

Jaguars at Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa vs. Trevor Lawrence

We tried tackling this question last year: who’s better, Trevor Lawrence or Tua Tagovailoa? In a national vote, Trevor won 75 percent to 25. Does that mean anything? No. Tua has better offensive weapons. He also led the NFL in passing last year with 4,624 yards. And he started all 17 games, a surprise given his multiple head injuries in 2022. So who is better?

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. It’s hard to envision Tua playing all 17 games again without injury. Trevor Lawrence is much bigger and more durable. Lawrence also is much better at moving the ball with his legs. This game could come down to defense. But since this is about which team has the advantage at QB, I’d say Lawrence leads 51-49. It’s that close.

Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders

Gardner Minshew vs. Trevor Lawrence

It seems as though Gardner Minshew will be the starter after coming over from Indianapolis. He’s currently listed ahead of Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders are in flux and may have a tough year in 2024.

Advantage: Trevor Lawrence. Minshew had a nice year in 2023, but as stated earlier, he had three INTs against the Jaguars. Lawrence should be able to have a big day against a team that was middle-of-the-pack last year against the pass.

Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts vs. Trevor Lawrence

The Eagles and Jaguars looked rather similar in 2023. They both started out hot, then collapsed in the second half of the season. Depending on when this game is played, weather may be a factor in Philly.

Advantage: Jalen Hurts. While Hurts has never thrown for 4,000 yards in a season, he’s come close twice. He’s also a bigger run threat than Lawrence. As the Jaguars try to rebuild their defense, Hurts looks like he has a slight advantage — for now.

Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen vs. Trevor Lawrence

Again, this depends on when it will be played. If it’s late in the season in snow, it’s a big advantage for the Bills. Yes, the Jaguars defeated the Bills last year, but it was in London, which is a different beast.

Advantage: Josh Allen. Allen has four consecutive years of more than 4,200 yards passing. He’s never rushed for fewer than 421 yards. He needs to temper his INTs, but he’s a bigger downfield threat and a more reliable offensive weapon.

There you have it. By my count, Trevor Lawrence is favored against nine of the 14 teams they will play. Since they play three teams twice, that puts the count at 11 of 17 games. Does that mean the Jaguars will go 11-6? No. After all, it IS the NFL, where anything can happen on any given Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 2024 Jaguars schedule: Comparing Trevor Lawrence to opposing QBs