How Many Games Can the Jaguars Realistically Win in 2026?
Fans in Duval County enjoyed an absolutely astounding 2025 NFL season, which saw the Jacksonville Jaguars go from 4-13 and third place in the AFC South in 2024 to 13-4 with a division title and playoff berth. The brilliant turnaround, led by rookie head coach Liam Coen, has the team looking to continue that success in 2026. However, the NFL wasn’t so nice to the AFC South Champions, giving them a tough schedule that will test their abilities to hang with the best of the best. Although their division should be relatively easy in 2026, the question is whether Jacksonville can stay healthy enough to maintain success.
In 2025, the team suffered numerous injuries, including the loss of rookie star Travis Hunter early in the campaign. However, the team adapted and rolled with the punches, trading for key players like veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers to maintain their trajectory towards success. Jacksonville ended the season hot, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence playing the best football of his entire career. Can it be repeated in 2026? That will be a question decided by the athletes who make up this Jaguars squad. They have the talent; they just need to perform and execute their roles to the highest level possible. Coen and general manager James Gladstone have followed the blueprint and set the standard; now the team must maintain it.
Looking at the schedule for the upcoming season, the Jaguars will have to battle to make it a success. The team will face the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys all on the road. The squad will need to take advantage of their divisional matchups, sweeping the Tennessee Titans and at least splitting their games with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Their home schedule is relatively simple on paper, with teams like the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers entering the season filled with question marks surrounding their franchises. However, the Jaguars will host the defending AFC Champions, the New England Patriots, and face the Philadelphia Eagles in London, so it’s not all just sunshine and rainbows. After analyzing their schedule, the Jaguars’ ceiling is likely around 13 wins, just like in 2025. At their worst, the Jaguars could only have around seven to eight wins. Expect Duval County to be back in the playoffs in 2026, a team that will be a Super Bowl competitor.
