Malik Jackson is doubling down on his prediction for perfection in Jacksonville.
"I think we're going 16-0," the Jaguars defensive behemoth told TMZ Sports.
"I'm callin' it, 16-0. I don't think anybody can beat us as long as we stay healthy and do what we're supposed to do."
If this sounds familiar, you aren't dreaming. Jackson, last July, provided this feverish status report from his crystal ball:
"I think having that and being who we all are, it should be a great year. After the Super Bowl," said Jackson, "we're going 16-0, we're going all the way."
That forecast was widely dismissed, but there was always reason to believe the Jaguars would improve behind a stocked defense roster. Their 10-6 finish morphed into a head-turning playoff jaunt that saw the squad knock off the Bills, stun the Steelers and nearly do the impossible against New England.
Yes, Jackson is simply showing faith in his teammates -- nobody's going 16-0 this season (that's my prediction) -- but it's irresponsible to dismiss the Jaguars as a Super Bowl possibility.
As proven last autumn-into-winter, the NFL campaign is a wily, unpredictable piece of drama that specializes in surprise endings.
