Can the Patriots Win Their Second Game of the 2026 Season Against the Jaguars?
After losing their first game of the season, 13-10, in a Super Bowl LX rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, the New England Patriots bounced back in Week Two, dominating the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3. The Patriots travel to Jacksonville during Week Three to match up with the Jaguars. Both New England and Jacksonville enter this Week Three bout 1-1, and even though it's early in the season, it is a big matchup to stay ahead in both teams’ respective divisions. Which team finishes this week with the win, heading into Week Four with a steamboat full of momentum?
While the Patriots’ defense had a rough go in the second half of Week One, they struck back in a big way against the Steelers. New England recorded four sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The defense will play a big part against Jacksonville, as the Jaguars offense went anemic in Week Two against the Denver Broncos, recording three points in the second half to Denver’s 17. With A.J. Brown still out for potentially another three games, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will have to rely on TreVeyon Henderson, Romeo Doubs, and Hunter Henry just as the 24-year-old did last week in order to keep New England’s hopes of a win this week alive. Maye hasn’t looked as spectacular as he did last season being the runner-up for the NFL MVP Award. However, there’s plenty of time for the former North Carolina quarterback to turn things around and make this season a success.
Through the first three quarters of their game against the Broncos, the Jaguars looked great, and it seemed as though they would push Denver, a team that was in the AFC Championship Game a season ago, to a 0-2 record. Yet, the offense fell flat and could not keep up with the Broncos’ hard-hitting defense. Trevor Lawrence and the offense have to show out against a Patriots defense that is looking to poise themselves as one of the best in the league. Running back Bhayshul Tuten and receiver Parker Washington will need to continue playing big roles, but Jacksonville will need other guys on the offense to really pull it together if they want the win.
The key to this game is simple: Patriots defense vs. Jaguars offense. If Jacksonville can continuously pressure New England on the defensive front and score a couple of times, the Patriots defense could find themselves flustered. If the Patriots defense can hold down the fort and keep the Jaguars and their fans quiet throughout the entire game, which gives Maye the confidence to drive down the field and get some points on the board. Maye needs to continue improving in this offense and build upon his last two games of the season, which means no interceptions and being as consistent a passer as he was a year ago.
This should be the Patriots game for the taking. New England needs their first road win of the season, and taking out a playoff team from last season like Jacksonville will be a boost of momentum in the locker room going forward. Although every other team in the AFC South sits at 0-2, the Jaguars are 1-1 and will be hungry to build a lead over their division rivals. Yet, New England quite possibly has a better team than last season, when they made it all the way to the Super Bowl. I’ll predict the Patriots come out on top in a 24-17 win.
