The 2026 NFL schedule has now officially been released. With this comes discussion about certain matchups, miles traveled, primetime games, and quality of opponents. The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the AFC North, NFC East, three division winners, and, of course, their own division. We break down all the matchups and how it impacts the team.
Analyzing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2026 Schedule
Come catch this fade.
Tickets are on sale NOW: https://t.co/EpEGvYmb92@Kissimmee | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/m2Up9xN6g1
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) May 14, 2026
Air miles each team will travel this season, via @billsperos: pic.twitter.com/oxd4dja4tD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 13, 2026
Hardest Stretch
The hardest stretch of the Jaguars’ season will be from Week Two to Week Nine. In that span, they will face three division winners, two of which were conference championship teams, two division opponents, a shortened week game (Thursday Night Football), and will play in Jacksonville for just two of these games.
This stretch of games will tell us a lot about just how good the team is fairly early in the season. In 2025 and 2022, the Jaguars disappointed to begin the year, but finished strong. However, it was those teams’ ability to beat other high-level teams that made them stand out. The Jaguars will have their work cut out for them to begin the year.
Easiest Stretch
If the Jaguars struggle early, the schedule falls more favorably toward the second half of the season. From Week 10 to Week 14, the Jaguars will have three games against the Titans and Giants, both of which finished at the bottom of their division in 2025. While the Bears and Steelers are not slouches, they are a tier below the best teams the Jaguars will face in 2026. Their best chance to make a late-season push for the division or the playoffs will be in this stretch.
Season Prediction
With the roster and coaching turnover teams face every year, records are nearly impossible to predict on a year-to-year basis. However, the Jaguars faced little turnover across the board, only gaining continuity while making personnel changes in the draft. The Jaguars will have a more complete team in 2026, but because of the schedule difficulty, they will win two fewer games than they did in 2025, finishing the regular season 11-6.