Why the Jaguars Should Be Your Pick to Be AFC Champions in 2026
With the 2026 NFL season rapidly approaching, many fans and analysts are already making their February predictions. While many either have the Seattle Seahawks returning to the big game or the Los Angeles Rams taking the throne, the AFC is considered a toss-up. One team that should be on everybody’s radar is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who had a 13-4 record in 2025 before falling to the Buffalo Bills in an exciting Wild Card exit. Jacksonville has never made the Super Bowl before, but 2026 could be their best chance yet to make history.
Led by veteran quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars arguably have the best passing attack in their franchise history. With now five NFL seasons under his belt, Lawrence has the experience to lead a team into battle. Coming off the best stretch of his entire career in 2025, where he went 8-0 in the final stretch of the season, with 2,009 yards and 19 touchdowns. Paired up with now second-year head coach Liam Coen, Duval County could be one of the most feared offensive attacks in the league. Although they lost their running game due to Travis Etienne leaving in free agency, the team still has plenty to offer. Wideouts Brian Thomas and Jakobi Meyers lead the squad, with former Penn State receiver Parker Washington getting better each season. Travis Hunter is returning from his rookie season-ending injury and could add some juice to a team that is ready to run the gauntlet.
Defensively, Jacksonville has the potential to be among the AFC’s best. They finished 2025 as the league’s best unit at stopping the run, allowing the fewest rushing yards in the NFL with 1,455. Defensive linemen Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen can be one of the league’s elite duos when healthy, alongside a growing confidence in their secondary unit led by veteran Montaric Brown. The team also has two of the best young minds in football as their coordinators, with Grant Udinski leading the offense and Anthony Campanile leading the defense for the second straight season. Put your money on Jacksonville now, as the early stock will pay off huge when Lawrence and company make a deep playoff run to Los Angeles.
