Jacksonville Jaguars
· 2026-07-13
Jacksonville Jaguars proved they’re a true Super Bowl contender with a 13-4 record and 3rd place in the American Football Conference, riding an eight-game winning streak into the 2026 offseason. The team’s dramatic rise from 4-13 to AFC elite wasn’t luck — it was execution.
Trevor Lawrence delivered the best season of his career under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, throwing for 4,007 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding nine rushing scores. His 38 total touchdowns broke the franchise record and ranked third in the NFL. The offense scored 474 points — a new team high — and averaged 27.9 points per game, fourth-best in the league.
Jacksonville’s defense anchored the surge, finishing eighth in points allowed and first in the NFL against the run. The unit forced turnovers at key moments and gave Lawrence breathing room. After the Week 8 bye, the Jaguars went 9-1, averaging 32.8 points per game. Opponents couldn’t adjust to Coen’s system fast enough.
The departure of Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency leaves a void in the backfield. Brian Thomas Jr. must rebound from a steep drop in production after his Pro Bowl rookie year. Travis Hunter, who played mostly receiver as a rookie, is expected to shift to cornerback full-time in 2026 to shore up a secondary still finding consistency.
Teams now have a full season of film on Lawrence and Coen’s offense. Jacksonville’s 27-24 wild-card loss to Buffalo exposed their playoff inexperience. Winning 13 games was one thing — winning in January is another. The Jaguars aren’t underdogs anymore. They’re the team everyone’s chasing.
The Jaguars open the 2026 season against the Cleveland Browns on September 13. With an eight-game win streak behind them and expectations sky-high, every snap will be scrutinized. The bar isn’t just playoffs anymore — it’s deep runs. Lawrence and Coen know it. The rest of the AFC does too.