For the third consecutive summer, the Jacksonville Jaguars are picking up steam as a trendy pick to graduate from also-ran to playoff contender.
With the addition of talented starters such as former Denver Broncos playoff hero Malik Jackson, though, this year's stocked roster finally merits the optimistic projections.
Sporting a "Sacksonville" tank top for Monday's appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, Jackson predicted, "I think we're going to surprise a lot of people how we play this year."
So why is this year different?
"I think this year we're just ready to go out and show everybody," Jackson continued. "I think we want to stop talking and stop doing all the 'hoorah,' really go out there and have progress and get Ws. ... just put the first step forward of having a great season and talking with our pads and our progress on the field."
There are manifold reasons to believe the Jaguars will do just that.
Powered by one of the league's most imposing wide receiver duos, the offense is poised to join the ranks of the league's high-octane attacks this season.
Paced by Jackson, popular breakout candidateDante Fowler and difference-making rookie talents such as Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack, the defensive personnel is perhaps the NFL's most improved from 2015 to 2016.
Whether or not the Jaguars fulfill Jackson's vision of surprising football fans across America, they are already building high expectations. The Green Bay-Jacksonville showdown is among the marquee matchups of Week 1.