Breeze or Uphill Battle: How Tough is Jaguars’ 2026 Slate?
While far from a walk in the park, the Jaguars do not face a particularly rigorous slate this season. The combined 2025 winning percentage of their opponents was .490, not suggesting a grueling lineup for Jacksonville.
Here is a breakdown of each of the opponents the Jaguars face this season.
Cleveland Browns
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 1 (home, season opener)
2025 Record: 5-12
What defined their 2025 season:
The Browns started three different quarterbacks — veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — and will start yet another to open 2026. Deshaun Watson will play his first game since 2024 after facing 27 sexual assault charges and tearing his Achilles twice.
Offseason changes:
Cleveland hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as its new coach in January. Monken brought former-run game coordinator Travis Switzer from Baltimore as the Browns’ offensive coordinator, making him their sixth OC in eight years.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Sept. 15, 2024: Browns 18, Jaguars 13 — Jacksonville leads all-time series record 12-8
X-factor/why this game matters:
This game opens the 2026 season for the Jaguars. This is their opportunity to start the season outright against what should be a fairly light opponent.
Denver Broncos
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 2 (away)
2025 Record: 14-3
What defined their 2025 season:
The Broncos were a quarterback Bo Nix ankle injury away from competing in the Super Bowl. They became the first team not named the Chiefs to win the AFC West since they did it in 2015.
Offseason changes:
Denver added Jaylen Waddle to its receiver corps after wideout Courtland Sutton racked up back-to-back 1,000-plus seasons. Waddle totaled 5,039 yards in his five seasons with the Dolphins.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Dec. 21, 2025: Jaguars 34, Broncos 20 — all-time series tied 7-7
X-factor / why this game matters:
The Broncos boasted one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, and the pressure will be an early test for Jacksonville’s offense. This marks the first challenge against a 2025 playoff team on the Jaguars’ schedule.
New England Patriots
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 3 (home)
2025 Record: 14-3
What defined their 2025 season:
Bounce back was the sentiment of the season for the Patriots. Under new coach Mike Vrabel and behind star quarterback Drake Maye, New England made a run to the Super Bowl coming off a 4-13 2024 season.
Offseason changes:
The Patriots’ wide receiver room went into a blender after they acquired AJ Brown and signed Romeo Doubs in the offseason. They also let Stefon Diggs go and traded away Kayshon Boutte for a depth piece at safety.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Oct. 20, 2024: Jaguars 32, Patriots 16 — New England leads all-time series 8-2
X-factor / why this game matters:
New England boasted the fourth-best passing offense in 2025, averaging 250.5 yards per game. The Jaguars struggled heavily against teams with a good passing attack.
Cincinnati Bengals
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 4 (away)
2025 Record: 6-11
What defined their 2025 season:
Quarterback Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury derailed the Bengals’ season. The ailment left him out of 10 contests, leaving Cincinnati facing a 4-9 record and no playoff chances upon his return.
Offseason changes:
Trey Hendrickson left Cincinnati after the Bengals did not put a franchise tag on the edge rusher. The former All-Pro was a staple of the defensive line as he added back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Dec. 4, 2023: Bengals 34, Jaguars 31 — all-time series tied 13-13
X-factor / why this game matters:
Depending on how Weeks 2 and 3 go for Jacksonville, the Week 4 date with the Bengals could be a solid measuring stick.
Philadelphia Eagles
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 5 (away, London)
2025 Record: 5-12
What defined their 2025 season:
The Eagles boasted the third-worst total offense across the NFC and dropped their wildcard contest with San Francisco, 23-19. Philly failed to convert on 4th-and-11 from the Niners’ 21-yard line, turning the ball over with 43 seconds left, and their Super Bowl hopes went down the drain.
Offseason changes:
One of the largest offseason moves across the league resided in Philly. Brown finally departed from the Eagles and left DeVonta Smith and rookie Makai Lemon in the wide receiver room.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Nov. 3, 2024: Eagles 28, Jaguars 23 — Philadelphia leads all-time series 5-3
X-factor / why this game matters:
Week 5 marks the Jaguars’ first London appearance of the season.
Houston Texans
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 6 (away, London), Week 15 (home)
2025 Record: 12-5
What defined their 2025 season:
The Texans defense was its 2025 trademark. They boasted the best defense in the NFL, allowing just 277.2 yards per game.
Offseason changes:
The Texans bolstered their offensive line in the offseason, adding left guard Wyatt Teller and center Braden Smith, plus selecting right tackle Keylan Rutledge with the 26th overall pick in the draft out of Georgia Tech.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Nov. 9. 2025: Texans 36, Jaguars 29 — divisional rivalry, Houston leads all-time series 32-16
X-factor / why this game matters:
Much like the Broncos game, the contest against one of the top defensive teams in the NFL will be a test for the Jaguars’ offense. This is also a divisional matchup, and the Texans will likely be Jacksonville’s main competition for the next AFC South title.
Indianapolis Colts
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 8 (home), Week 18 (away)
2025 Record: 8-9
What defined their 2025 season:
Quarterback Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury turned the Colts’ 2025 season on its head. Indianapolis went from a playoff contender to losing seven straight games and ending with a losing record with their signal-caller sidelined.
Offseason changes:
Leading receiver Michael Pittman Jr. departed for the Steelers after a five-year, 5,254-yard tenure with the Colts.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Dec. 28, 2025: Jaguars 23, Colts 17 — divisional rivalry, Indianapolis leads all-time series 28-22
X-factor / why this game matters:
This is another divisional matchup that will be crucial to the Jaguars’ conference standings. This is one of Jacksonville’s biggest rivalries, and the Colts will be looking to bounce back from both losses last season.
Baltimore Ravens
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 9 (away)
2025 Record: 8-9
What defined their 2025 season:
The Ravens had a shot at the playoffs, but ultimately lost to the Steelers in Week 18 and fell short of the AFC North title after Tyler Loop missed the potential game-winning field goal.
Offseason changes:
Jesse Minter replaced 18-year staple John Harbaugh at the helm of the Ravens. The former Chargers’ defensive coordinator’s group ranked No. 5 across the league in 2025.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Dec. 17, 2023: Ravens 23, Jaguars 7 — Jacksonville leads all-time series 13-11
X-factor / why this game matters:
This game could be one of the most evenly matched of the season. This will provide a midseason opportunity for the Jaguars to top a relatively same-level opponent.
Tennessee Titans
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 10 (away), Week 12 (home)
2025 Record: 3-14
What defined their 2025 season:
The Titans’ season was defined by a coaching carousel, a lack of depth, poor roster construction and a new quarterback, all of which combined to make it a struggle-filled season for the crew.
Offseason changes:
The Titans completely reworked their coaching staff, hiring Robert Saleh to right the ship with Brian Daboll and Gus Bradley as offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Jan. 4, 2026: Jaguars 41, Titans 7 — divisional rivalry, Jacksonville leads all-time series 34-28
X-factor / why this game matters:
The Titans are the Jaguars’ biggest rivals, with a long history of intense competition. Both matchups should be opportunities for Jacksonville to secure two of its lighter games on the schedule.
New York Giants
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 11 (away)
2025 Record: 4-13
What defined their 2025 season:
A midseason coaching change overturned the Giants’ season. Excessive change led the team to struggle to get oriented.
Offseason changes:
Harbaugh became the Giants’ coach Jan. 17, marking a new era of Big Blue football.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Oct. 23, 2022: Giants 23, Jaguars 17 — all-time series tied 4-4
X-factor / why this game matters:
This game should mark another opportunity for the Jaguars to capitalize on a lighter opponent. It is part of a three-week lighter stretch that should give the team an opportunity to make up ground.
Chicago Bears
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 13 (away)
2025 Record: 11-6
What defined their 2025 season:
Fourth quarter heroics defined the Bears’ 2025 season. They became the comeback team, making late surges in a plethora of games throughout the season.
Offseason changes:
The Bears reloaded on defense, adding Coby Bryant, Devin Bush and Xavier Woods.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Oct. 13, 2024: Bears 35, Jaguars 16 — Chicago leads all-time series 6-3
X-factor / why this game matters:
The Bears’ and Jags’ rosters are structurally similar — both relying on their talented quarterback to make late-game plays. Each franchise closed 2025 on postseason departures, but come into 2026 with high-powered crews.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 14 (home)
2025 Record: 10-7
What defined their 2025 season:
A subpar late-game and late-season defense was the main aspect that held back the Steelers in 2025. While the offense wasn’t always firing, it was consistent compared to a defense that experienced major highs and lows.
Offseason changes:
The Steelers’ offseason was characterized by who they could keep rather than who they could get. While quarterback Aaron Rodgers was thought to potentially retire following the 2025 season, he will return for this year.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Oct. 29. 2023: Jaguars 20, Steelers 10 — all-time series tied 13-13
X-factor / why this game matters:
This is a Monday night game, so the stakes will be high. It marks a solid opportunity for the Jaguars to showcase how big a force they can be in the league with just a few weeks left.
Dallas Cowboys
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 16 (away)
2025 Record: 7-9-1
What defined their 2025 season:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer was working to get oriented in his first season at the helm in 2025. The result was some elite moments for the squad, but also some consistency issues that plagued the team.
Offseason changes:
The Cowboys reloaded on defense, drafting Ohio State standout cornerback Caleb Downs with the 11th overall selection, trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary and signing corner Cobie Durant.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Dec. 18, 2022: Jaguars 40, Cowboys 34 — all-time series tied 4-4
X-factor / why this game matters:
The two teams haven’t met in the past three seasons, and this marks an opportunity for the Jaguars to double down on their dominance and widen the margin from the last time the teams met in 2022. With the end of the regular season nearing, this could also be a make-or-break game for Jacksonville’s playoff hopes.
Washington Commanders
Week(s) faced / Home or Away: Week 17 (home)
2025 Record: 5-12
What defined their 2025 season:
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was overcome with injuries throughout his sophomore campaign. The LSU product sprained his left knee in Week 2, strained his right hamstring in October and dislocated his left elbow in November.
Offseason changes:
The Commanders added Stefon Diggs to their wide receiver corps to pair with Terry McLaurin. They also signed running back Rachaad White who will back up Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Head-to-head vs. Jaguars:
Sept. 11, 2022: Commanders 28, Jaguars 22 — Washington leads all-time series 7-1
X-factor / why this game matters:
Jacksonville’s final matchup with an NFC team comes at a crucial time. Its defense will go against former 2024 Rookie of the Year Daniels in the final stretch ahead of the postseason.
Category: Feature Sports News, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL
