The 2003 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the franchise's 9th season in the National Football League and the 1st under head coach Jack Del Rio. The Jaguars failed to improve upon their 6–10 regular season record in 2002 and failed to make the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. An 0–8 record in road games eliminated any chance of postseason play.
Oddly, despite being in existence since 1995, this season marked the first time that the Jaguars played the San Diego Chargers.Jacksonville Jaguars v San Diego Chargers This is due to old NFL scheduling formulas in place prior to 2002; the Jaguars had played the Chargers’ division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs four times;Jacksonville Jaguars v Kansas City Chiefs the Denver BroncosJacksonville Jaguars v Denver Broncos three times and the Oakland Raiders twice (though not since 1997).Jacksonville Jaguars v Oakland Raiders
Week 3 was Mark Brunell's last game as a Jaguar, as he was benched forcing rookie quarterback Byron Leftwich to take his spot for the rest of the season. Brunell left the team at the end of the season.
Jacksonville defeated New Orleans 20–19 in the week 16 game despite the River City Relay, a play that has gone down in NFL lore.
Offseason
Acquisitions During free agency, the Jaguars signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Mike Peterson.
Additions SubtractionsDE Hugh Douglas (Eagles) WR Patrick Johnson (Redskins) LB Mike Peterson (Colts) DT Larry Smith (Packers)WR Troy Edwards (Rams) DE Marco Coleman (Eagles)WR Jermaine Lewis (Texans) LB Wali Rainer (Lions)G Jamar Nesbit (Panthers) FB Marc Edwards (Patriots)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2003 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeChris BrownCornerbackUABChris L. BrownCornerbackGrambling StateCortez HanktonWide receiverTexas SouthernMatt LeonardDefensive TackleStanfordSeth MarlerKickerTulaneCurtis RandallLinebackerLouisiana TechBrett RombergCenterMiami (FL)Kevin SimmonsWide receiverHowardJoe SmithRunning backLouisiana Tech
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 at Minnesota Vikings W 16–14 1–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 2 Miami Dolphins W 27–23 2–0 Alltel Stadium 3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 6–10 2–1 Raymond James Stadium 4 Washington Redskins W 17–15 3–1 Alltel Stadium
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 7 at Carolina Panthers L 23–24 0–1 Ericsson Stadium 72,134 2 September 14 Buffalo Bills L 17–38 0–2 Alltel Stadium 58,613 3 September 21 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–23 0–3 RCA Dome 55,770 4 September 28 at Houston Texans L 20–24 0–4 Reliant Stadium 70,041 5 October 5 San Diego Chargers W 27–21 1–4 Alltel Stadium 48,954 6 October 12 Miami Dolphins L 10–24 1–5 Alltel Stadium 66,437 7 Bye 8 October 26 Tennessee Titans L 17–30 1–6 Alltel Stadium 55,918 9 November 2 at Baltimore Ravens L 17–24 1–7 Ravens Stadium 69,486 10 November 9 Indianapolis Colts W 28–23 2–7 Alltel Stadium 45,037 11 November 16 at Tennessee Titans L 3–10 2–8 The Coliseum 68,809 12 November 23 at New York Jets L 10–13 2–9 Giants Stadium 77,614 13 November 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–10 3–9 Alltel Stadium 60,543 14 December 7 Houston Texans W 27–0 4–9 Alltel Stadium 43,363 15 December 14 at New England Patriots L 13–27 4–10 Gillette Stadium 68,436 16 December 21 New Orleans Saints W 20–19 5–10 Alltel Stadium 49,207 17 December 28 at Atlanta Falcons L 14–21 5–11 Georgia Dome 70,266
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts
After being down 3–0 at halftime, the Colts scored 17 third quarter points followed by six points in the fourth quarter to beat Jacksonville 23-13 and improve to 3–0. A standout moment from the game occurred when Colts' rookie DB Mike Doss caused a fumble by Jaguars' RB Fred Taylor. Doss reportedly quipped, "Hey, Fred, you forgot something." In retaliation, Taylor told reporters ahead of their next encounter, "I'm going to bust his (butt). I'm going to punish him."
Week 4: at Houston Texans
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 8: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 9: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis Colts
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Jaguars rallied with two touchdowns to take the lead. On the next possession, Peyton Manning connected with Marcus Pollard, who raced 70 yards to set up a go–ahead field goal. The Jaguars then moved deep into Colts' territory, but a fumbled field goal snap by punter/holder Mark Royals thwarted their efforts. After the Colts went three–and–out and a strong punt return set Jacksonville up at the Indianapolis 31–yard line, Fred Taylor made a 32–yard run, evading Mike Doss as he fell, to score a touchdown and put the Jaguars ahead with just a minute remaining. Manning's attempt to respond ended in an interception, sealing the Jaguars' first–ever victory over the Colts in a surprising upset. After the game, Doss remarked, "I guess you'd have to say he got the final word today." Taylor expressed that his frustration arose from Doss forcing his head to the ground after he recovered the fumble, expressing "I felt he truly disrespected me,"
Week 11: at Tennessee Titans
Week 12: at New York Jets
Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 14: vs. Houston Texans
Week 15: at New England Patriots
Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Standings Division
Conference
References