Jaguars 2025 Preview: Highlighting Four Crucial Games That Should Have Fans Attention
Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 season, the Jaguars have a lot of work to do. After an abysmal 4-13 season, a front office overhaul, and a blockbuster trade on draft night to acquire two-way phenom Travis Hunter, the Jaguars are poised for a bounce-back season. According to BetIq, the Jaguars have the eighth-easiest schedule in the NFL, with an average opponent win total from last season of 8.29. Every game is important, but the following highlighted games are the most significant on the schedule heading into the 2025 season.
Week Three: vs. Houston Texans, 1:00 p.m. ET
Every divisional game is an important one, but a game this early in the season can truly determine how the rest of the season will go. The AFC South has truly no clear favorite, especially after the offseason, where the Texans lost All-Pro tackle Laremy Tunsil, as well as Pro-Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs. As for the Colts and Titans, both teams have young quarterbacks that need time to develop and are not expected to compete this season. With this being said, the AFC South is up for grabs, and the winner between these two teams, who are both the division's betting favorites, could decide early on how both teams' seasons will go.
Week Five: vs Kansas City Chiefs, Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET
Week Five is the only primetime game on the Jaguars' schedule, and it doesn’t make it better that it comes against the reigning AFC Champions. Led by the best quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes, as well as future Hall of Famer and matchup nightmare Travis Kelce, the Jaguars will have to step up defensively. As for the other side of the ball, the Chiefs boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL, led by All-Pro Trent McDuffie, as well as one of the best interior pass rushers, Chris Jones. The Jaguars have not beaten the Chiefs since 2009, when they won 24-21. Since then, the Jaguars have lost to the Chiefs eight consecutive times, including a heartbreaking 27-20 loss in the AFC Divisional Round. Good teams can beat other good teams, and this Week Five matchup allows the Jaguars to do just that.
Week Four: @ San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Jaguars face off against two teams that have made the Super Bowl in the last two years, the 49ers and the Chiefs. Although the 49ers had a down year last season, it was mainly due to injuries. Former Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey only played four games, and former second-team All-Pro wideout Brandon Aiyuk’s season was cut short due to a torn ACL. Even with a down season last year, the 49ers are one of the better teams in the NFL. Another sign of a good team is being able to play well and win on the road, and this game allows the Jaguars to do just that. As I previously stated, a good team can beat other good teams, and this game, once again, allows the Jaguars to do just that.
Week 16: @ Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
Another week, another playoff team. The Broncos are expected to be a top team in the NFL this season, with quarterback Bo Nix leading the charge on offense. Defensively, the Broncos have made key additions, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga in free agency, as well as adding defensive back Jahdae Barron in the draft. The defensive line is led by pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who led the team with a career-best 13.5 sacks last season. On the other side of Bonitto is Jonathan Cooper, who had a breakout season last year, recording 10.5 sacks. The team is also led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. Winning on the road is crucial, but winning on the road late in the season against one of the best teams in the NFL is incredibly important to a team trying to make a playoff push down the stretch.
Although the Jaguars have a low opponent win total, making their schedule appear easier, most teams they play this season are coming off down years or have made big improvements during the offseason. All games are important to a team, but division and primetime games are crucial, as well as facing off against playoff teams. The Jaguars are coming off an awful season, but with the improvements during the offseason, they are poised for a special 2025 season.
