In the Spotlight: Jacksonville Jaguars Look to Defend AFC South Crown

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter 2026 trying to prove that last season’s dramatic turnaround was only the beginning. Jacksonville went 13-4 in 2025, captured the AFC South and produced the franchise’s highest win total since 1999.   The season ended with a narrow Wild Card loss to Buffalo, but Liam Coen’s first year as head coach transformed a team that had gone 4-13 the previous season.   Trevor Lawrence was central to that resurgence. He threw for 4,007 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while accounting for 38 total touchdowns. Jacksonville finished sixth in scoring at 27.9 points per game and eighth in points allowed, giving the Jaguars one of the NFL’s more balanced teams.  

What to Watch

  The biggest question is whether Jacksonville can maintain that momentum after a relatively quiet offseason. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Devin Lloyd departed in free agency, creating openings on both sides of the ball. Jacksonville signed Chris Rodriguez Jr. to help replace Etienne and is expected to give Bhayshul Tuten a larger role in the backfield.   The offense still features an intriguing young core. Brian Thomas Jr. remains one of Lawrence’s primary targets, while Travis Hunter provides unusual versatility at receiver and cornerback. Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brenton Strange give Lawrence additional options.   Defensively, Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead headline the front. Jacksonville also retained cornerback Montaric Brown and added defensive tackle Albert Regis through the NFL Draft. The challenge will be replacing Lloyd’s production at linebacker while handling a difficult first-place schedule.  

Betting Outlook

  Sportsbooks like bet365 and DraftKings remain more cautious about Jacksonville than its 13-win season might suggest. DraftKings listed the Jaguars at +245 to win the AFC South as of Sept. 1, behind Houston in the divisional market.   Jacksonville was +1500 to win the AFC and +3000 to win Super Bowl LXI. The Jaguars’ win total sits at 8.5, with Over 8.5 priced at -140 and Under at +116. Jacksonville is also +105 to make the playoffs, reflecting the difficulty of a schedule featuring seven games against 2025 playoff teams.  

Key Team Details

 

• 2025 record: 13-4; AFC South champions; lost in Wild Card round.
• Key players to watch: Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead.
• Expected starting QB: Trevor Lawrence.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jake Bobo, DT Albert Regis, TE Nate Boerkircher and G Emmanuel Pregnon.
• Betting odds to win AFC South: +245.
• Betting odds to win AFC: +1500.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +3000.
• Win totals over/under: 8.5 — Over -140 / Under +116.

2026-27 Jacksonville Jaguars Schedule

 

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 13	vs. Cleveland Browns	1:00 p.m.	CBS
2	Sept. 20	at Denver Broncos	4:05 p.m.	CBS
3	Sept. 27	vs. New England Patriots	1:00 p.m.	CBS
4	Oct. 4	at Cincinnati Bengals	1:00 p.m.	CBS
5	Oct. 11	vs. Philadelphia Eagles (London)	9:30 a.m.	NFL Network
6	Oct. 18	vs. Houston Texans (London)	9:30 a.m.	NFL Network
7	—	BYE	—	—
8	Nov. 1	vs. Indianapolis Colts	1:00 p.m.	CBS
9	Nov. 5	at Baltimore Ravens	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
10	Nov. 15	at Tennessee Titans	1:00 p.m.	FOX
11	Nov. 22	at New York Giants	1:00 p.m.	CBS
12	Nov. 29	vs. Tennessee Titans	4:05 p.m.	CBS
13	Dec. 6	at Chicago Bears	1:00 p.m.	FOX
14	Dec. 14	vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
15	Dec. 20	at Houston Texans	1:00 p.m.	CBS
16	Dec. 27	at Dallas Cowboys	8:20 p.m.	NBC
17	TBD	vs. Washington Commanders	TBD	TBD
18	TBD	at Indianapolis Colts	TBD	TBD

  Jacksonville’s schedule includes consecutive London games against Philadelphia and Houston, followed by a Week 7 bye. The Jaguars also face a demanding early stretch against 2025 division champions Denver, New England and Philadelphia.