NFL 2026 SEASON - Preview And Predictions

The 2026 NFL season is just about here and the opening game kickoff is in Seattle on Wednesday evening when the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks host the New England Patriots. The Seahawks destroyed the Patriots, 29-13 in Super Bowl LX last February as their defense dominated while the offense was steady and running back Kenneth Walker III (now with the Kansas City Chiefs) was named the Most Valuable Player in the game. 

Seattle will have a battle once again in the NFC West division with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers this season and perhaps all three of those teams will again make the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks blasted the 49ers, 41-6 in the divisional round of the playoffs and then outlasted the Rams, 31-27 in the NFC Championship game prior to their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Patriots made some moves with their offense and have some new faces at wide receiver in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, to accompany quarterback Drake Maye, who was last seen running for his life in the Super Bowl loss against Seattle. The opening game should be an interesting affair for sure, but look for the Seahawks to prevail over the Patriots yet again. 

On Thursday Night Football, the Rams and 49ers will face each other for some reason all the way over in Melbourne, Australia. That game should be a good one as these fierce rivals go at it with the Rams featuring premier defensive player Myles Garrett, who is the single season sacks record holder. Last year, Garrett (with the Cleveland Browns) totaled 23 quarterback takedowns and he will be teaming with Aaron Donald, a future Hall-of-Fame player who came out of a three-year retirement to join his former team in their quest for a Super Bowl title. The 49ers have a strong defense as well, which should be bolstered by the return of edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner from injuries that kept them out of action for most of last season. 

It will be a fun start to what should be an entertaining and unpredictable NFL season. 

There are so many questions to be answered in the next four and half months as the 32 teams battle it out to see who will emerge as the Super Bowl champions at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on February 14, 2027 in Super Bowl LXI. 

Can the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, with many new faces on defense, overcome their demons and finally get to the NFL promised land? 

Can the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, finally reach the Super Bowl after so many playoff disappointments? 

What about the Baltimore Ravens and their beleaguered QB Lamar Jackson, the same can be said about them? 

Will quarterback Patrick Mahomes (coming off major knee surgery) and the Kansas City Chiefs bounce back in 2026 and reclaim their throne atop the AFC? 

What about the Denver Broncos in the competitive AFC West division? Can they ride their strong defense and will third year QB Bo Nix show more improvement as he looks to overcome a severe ankle injury that kept him out of the AFC title game last January?

Will the Philadelphia Eagles win a third straight NFC East title with QB Jalen Hurts now devoid of one of his top wide receivers,  A.J. Brown who went to the New England Patriots this off-season? 

Can quarterback Aaron Rodgers lead the Pittsburgh Steelers back to the AFC playoffs in this his 22nd and final NFL season?

Can the Chicago Bears continue to be late-game miracle workers with third year quarterback Caleb Williams, who dubbed himself the "Ice Man" during the frosty weather run last January in the NFC playoffs? 

Will the Detroit Lions make a comeback effort in the 2026 season and get back to the playoffs after tumbling to NFC North division cellar? 

Will the NFC South division winner actually have a winning record this season?  

So many questions to be answered and it will play out over the 18-week schedule from now until early January. So here goes as Heftyinfo looks to predict how the divisional races will shake out and which teams will go at it in the post-season before two teams eventually square off in the Super Bowl in February.  

(Teams listed in italic bold are the number one playoff seeds and get a bye; Wild Card teams listed in bold) 

NFC 

East - 1. Philadelphia 2. Dallas 3. N.Y. Giants 4. Washington 

North - 1. Detroit 2. Chicago 3. Minnesota 4. Green Bay 

South - 1. Tampa Bay 2. New Orleans 3. Carolina 4. Atlanta 

West - 1. L.A. Rams 2. Seattle 3. San Francisco 4. Arizona  

 

AFC

East - 1. Buffalo 2. New England 3. N.Y. Jets 4. Miami 

North - 1. Baltimore 2. Cincinnati 3. Pittsburgh 4. Cleveland 

South - 1. Jacksonville 2. Houston 3. Indianapolis 4. Tennessee 

West - 1. Denver 2. Kansas City 3. L.A. Chargers 4. Las Vegas  

NFC PLAYOFFS 

Wild Card Round  - Philadelphia over Dallas; San Francisco over Detroit; Seattle over Tampa Bay 

Divisional Round -  L.A. Rams over San Francisco; Seattle over Philadelphia 

NFC Championship Game - L.A. Rams over Seattle  

AFC PLAYOFFS 

Wild Card Round - Denver over Houston; L.A. Chargers over Baltimore; Kansas City over Jacksonville

Divisional Round - Buffalo over L.A. Chargers; Denver over Kansas City 

AFC Championship Game - Buffalo over Denver 

 

                                                                   SUPER BOWL LXI 

                                                                Los Angeles Rams over Buffalo Bills  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest In Peace Dolly Parton

Country music legend Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 years old. She was long ago dubbed the "Country Music Queen" and was well known for many decades, going back to her days with the late Porter Wagoner and also appearing on the old country and western variety show "Hee Haw" back in the late 1960s/early 1970s. She was voted as Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. 

 

 

She was known for her beautiful singing voice and busty physical appearance and long blonde hair. But Dolly was much more than all of that as she was a very generous, caring person who donated millions of books for children to read as well as many charities she was responsible for. She was not only a singer and entertainer, but also a philanthropist, who gave  hundreds of millions of dollars to literacy, healthcare, education and disaster relief. Parton came from a large family in Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children, born on January 19, 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. 

She also had the theme park "Dollywood" in the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg, Tennessee area. She also appeared in quite a few movies, including the hit movie 9 to 5 (1980) and also Steel Magnolias, which was released in 1989. Some of her many hit songs included "I Will Always Love You", "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors" and of course 9 to 5, the title track from the motion picture. Dolly Parton won ten Grammy Awards during her career as well. Dolly Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. 

God Bless You Dolly and Rest In Peace. 

 

John Roberts Led U.S. Supreme Court Gets It Wrong Again

The United States Supreme Court, already compromised with scandal due to Clarence Thomas taking bribe money for many years from Harlan Crow as well as Roberts' wife being involved in deals that make millions and then not recusing himself from said cases that came before the SCOTUS. And of course, Samuel Alito has been under fire ever since the photos came out showing his home displaying an upside American flag (a distress signal) following Trump and his goons trying to overthrow the 2020 U.S. election results. He and his wife were siding with Trump and the failed coup attempt. 

As for Roberts and his wife . . .  well, well, looky here . . . there are whistleblower documents that allege Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' wife, Jane Sullivan Roberts, earned over $10.3 million in commissions as a high-end legal recruiter from 2007 to 2014 working with firms that had business before the Supreme Court. Critics and ethics complaints argue this created conflicts of interest and that Roberts mischaracterized the commission income as a "salary" on financial disclosures.

Now of course, this SCOTUS (with no less than six republican partisan hacks) just ruled yesterday, during their annual summertime recess mind you, that Donald Trump can go ahead with his executive order of controlling the U.S. postal service and mail-in ballots for the Congressional mid-term elections in November. 

This U.S. Supreme Court, led by John Roberts, is full of shit, to put it simply. 

They have no business ruling on this. 

Trump is a traitor (January 6, 2021 failed coup attempt) and as well as being named hundreds of thousands of times in the Epstein Files, he cannot, by the rule of the U.S. Constitution, have any say on how individual states in this country run the elections. 

Period. End of discussion. 

And like so many of his attempts in court cases regarding elections, he will lose yet again with this futile effort, which is actually the idea of Project 2025 and the so called Heritage Foundation. The elections are too close at hand and this executive order will not have time to be implemented by then. Count on this happening folks . . . the elections will take place and the republicans up for re-election in Congress will be soundly defeated by we the people as we vote. 

Just like it happened 20 years ago in the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections, there will be a shellacking and the republican party will no longer have the majority control of the U.S. House and perhaps even lose the U.S. Senate majority. 

As for Trump and his six lap dogs on the SCOTUS, they can all go to hell. 

This is our country and it's not going to happen. 

Vote!  

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS                                                                                       

2025 Record - 14-3-0 

Head Coach - Mike Macdonald 

2025 Offensive Rank - 351 YPG (7th); Rushing - 123 YPG (10th), Passing - 228 YPG (8th) SCORING - 28.4 PPG (3rd)

2025 Defensive Rank - 286 YPG (6th); Rushing - 92 YPG (3rd), Passing - 194 YPG (10th) SCORING - 17.2 PPG (1st)

Key Player Additions - Jadarian Price (RB), Dante Fowler, Jr. (LB), Rodney Thomas (DB), Noah Igbinoghene (DB), Emmanuel Wilson (RB)

Key Player Losses - Kenneth Walker III (RB), Coby Bryant (DB), Cam Akers (RB), Riq Woolen (DB), Boye Mafe (LB) 
 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Sam Darnold put together a successful season in 2025, passing for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Drew Lock is the backup quarterback. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left in free agency, leaving Zach Charbonnet (730 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC and 12 touchdowns) as the primary running back. Rookie Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) was the top draft pick for Seattle and will get his chances to contribute. The wide receivers are Jaxon Smith-Njigba (119 receptions for 1,793 yards and ten TD), Cooper Kupp (47, 593, two TD) and Rashid Shaheed (59, 687, two TD with both Seattle and New Orleans in 2025). The tight ends are A.J. Barner, who had 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns and Elijah Arroyo, who was limited in his rookie season with knee injuries. 

DEFENSE - The defensive front has nose tackle Jarran Reed along with Leonard Williams (seven QB sacks), Byron Murphy (seven sacks) and DeMarcus Lawrence. The linebackers are Ernest Jones IV (team high 126 tackles and also five interceptions), Drake Thomas (89 tackles), Derrick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, who had seven sacks. In the defensive backfield are cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe and the safeties are Nick Emmanwori (81 tackles) and Julian Love. Veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs was recently signed and Terrion Arnold is another possible addition in the secondary. Also looking to provide depth in the secondary are D'Anthony Bell, Noah Igbinoghene, Rodney Thomas and rookies Julian Neal (Arkansas) and Bud Clark (TCU).  The Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defense last season, allowing just 17.2 points per game and had 47 sacks along with 18 interceptions. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in dominating fashion last year and the defense showed why it was one of the best in the NFL in that victory against the New England Patriots. Head Coach Mike Macdonald came on board with a reputation as a defensive guru and he would like to see more of the same as the Seahawks look to defend their title, which won't be easy playing in the NFC West along with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. 

The offense finished third in the league in scoring as QB Sam Darnold played well enough with a balanced attack that saw wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba lead the NFL in receiving yardage while the running attack was in the top ten in the NFL. Running back Zach Charbonnet is looking to return from a knee injury that kept him out of the post-season and rookie RB Jadarian Price will be a key piece until Charbonnet is back as a starter. The defense was tremendous and like the offense, has ten starting players from last year returning in 2026, so that should bode well for the team. 

As long as the key players stay healthy and complacency doesn't set in, the Seahawks should be right there with the Rams and 49ers in the fight for the NFC West crown this year. All three of those teams could make the NFC playoffs yet again and if the Seahawks are going to go far in January, then Darnold and company must do their part on offense as they did in the Super Bowl run last year. The chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions is always difficult, so Seattle is in for a battle. The talent is definitely there to get it done again, so now is the time for them to go out and prove it.  

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. New England 

Week Two - at Arizona 

Week Three - at Washington 

Week Four - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Five - vs. San Francisco 

Week Six - at Denver 

Week Seven - vs. Kansas City 

Week Eight - vs. Chicago 

Week Nine - vs. Arizona 

Week Ten - at Las Vegas 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - at San Francisco 

Week Thirteen - vs. Dallas 

Week Fourteen - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Fifteen - at Philadelphia 

Week Sixteen - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Seventeen - at Carolina 

Week Eighteen - at L.A. Rams  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS                                                                                          

2025 Record - 14-3-0 

Head Coach - Mike Vrabel 

2025 Offensive Rank - 379 YPG (3rd); Rushing - 129 YPG (6th), Passing - 250 YPG (4th) SCORING - 28.8 PPG (2nd) 

2025 Defensive Rank - 295 YPG (8th); Rushing - 102 YPG (6th), Passing - 193 YPG (9th) SCORING - 18.8 PPG (4th) 

Key Player Additions - Romeo Doubs (WR), Kevin Byard III (DB), Dre'Mont Jones (LB), K.J. Britt (LB), Julian Hill (TE), Kindle Vildor (DB)

Key Player Losses - Stefon Diggs (WR), Garrett Bradbury (OL), K'Lavon Chaisson (LB), Austin Hooper (TE), Jack Gibbens (LB), Jaylin Hawkins (DB), Khyris Tonga (DL), Anfernee Jennings (LB), Vederian Lowe (OL), Jahlani Tavai (LB) 

OFFENSE - Quarterback Drake Maye had a huge season in his second campaign as he passed for 4,394 yards and had 31 touchdown passes along with just nine interceptions while also rushing for 450 yards (4.4 YPC) and he scored four times. Treveyon Henderson (911 rushing yards, 5.1 YPC, nine TD) and Rhamondre Stevenson (603, 4.6 YPC, seven TD) form a solid one-two punch in the backfield. The wide receivers will be led by Mack Hollins (46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns), Romeo Doubs (55, 724, six TD with Green Bay) and Kayshon Boutte, who hauled in 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. The tight end is Hunter Henry, who had 60 receptions for 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season. 

DEFENSE - Up front is nose tackle Cory Durden along with Christian Barmore and end Milton Williams, providing solid run defense that finished sixth in the NFL a year ago. The linebackers are Dre'Mont Jones, who had seven combined quarterback sacks with Tennessee and Baltimore last season and also Robert Spillane (97 tackles and two interceptions), Christian Ellis (76 tackles) and Harold Landry III, who led the team with 8 1/2 sacks. K.J. Britt and rookies Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and Namdi Obiazor (TCU) will look to add depth. The secondary has safeties Craig Woodson (75 tackles) and Kevin Byard III, who made 95 tackles and had an NFL leading seven interceptions with the Chicago Bears last year. The cornerbacks are Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones (three picks) and Christian Gonzalez. The Patriots defense had ten interceptions last year and totaled 35 sacks while allowing just under 19 points per game. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Patriots shocked the NFL last year by going to the Super Bowl after two successive 4-13 seasons prior and many said it was because of the easy schedule they played in the 2025 season and was the reason for their success. They only faced two teams that made the AFC playoffs a year ago and this time around it looks more challenging on the 17-game schedule, including the season opener in Seattle for a Super Bowl rematch with the defending champion Seahawks. 

Head Coach Mike Vrabel has had a pretty tumultuous off-season personally and whether or not that is a factor in 2026 remains to be seen. As for the football, the Patriots have a solid core on both offense and defense, including third year quarterback Drake Maye, who will look to keep things going in the right direction after a tremendous run in 2025. The offense was balanced last year and finished second in the NFL in scoring and brings in Romeo Doubs at wide receiver to replace Stefon Diggs (now with Washington) in the passing attack. The pass protection for Maye will need to improve as he was sacked 48 times last year and a bunch more in the post-season. 

The defense was solid and New England had a plus-3 in turnovers, though the pass rush could improve after finishing in the bottom third of the league with only 35 sacks. The red zone defense was good and when the chips were down late in games last year, the Patriots usually delivered. The Super Bowl loser hangover is always a factor, but Vrabel has the coaching experience as well as being a former player who has been there, to help this team keep their focus. The Patriots will most likely battle the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title again and if they make the playoffs, they can go far. Only this time around, they will have the targets on their collective backs as other teams will not be taken by surprise as the season goes along. 

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Seattle 

Week Two - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week Three - at Jacksonville 

Week Four - at Buffalo 

Week Five - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Six - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week Seven - at Chicago 

Week Eight - at Miami 

Week Nine - vs. Green Bay 

Week Ten - vs. Detroit (Munich, Germany) 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Thirteen - vs. Buffalo 

Week Fourteen - vs. Minnesota 

Week Fifteen - at Kansas City 

Week Sixteen - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Seventeen - vs. Denver 

Week Eighteen - vs. Miami  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS                                                                                     

2025 Record - 6-11-0  

Head Coach - Kellen Moore

2025 Offensive Rank - 314 YPG (23rd); Rushing - 94 YPG (28th), Passing - 220 YPG (13th) SCORING - 18.0 PPG (28th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 300 YPG (9th); Rushing - 121 YPG (19th), Passing - 179 YPG (4th) SCORING - 22.5 PPG (16th) 

Key Player Additions - Travis Etienne, Jr. (RB), David Edwards (OL), Anfernee Jennings (LB), Noah Fant (TE), Kaden Elliss (LB), Tyree Wilson (DL) 

Key Player Losses - Demario Davis (LB), Luke Fortner (OL), Taysom Hill (TE), Foster Moreau (TE), Alontae Taylor (DB), Jonah Williams (DL) 

OFFENSE - Tyler Shough will be the starting quarterback and in his rookie season he had 2,384 passing yards with ten touchdowns and six interceptions. Spencer Rattler backs him up and in 2025 he had 1,586 passing yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Travis Etienne, Jr. will be the running back after five seasons with Jacksonville. In 2025, Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards (4.3 YPC) and scored seven touchdowns. Alvin Kamara missed six games last season, but led the Saints with 471 rushing yards (3.6 YPC) and scored one touchdown and also had 33 receptions for 186 yards. Devin Neal had 206 rushing yards (3.6 YPC) and two touchdowns. Chris Olave leads the wide receivers and he made 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Also contributing will be Devaughn Vele (25, 293, two TD), rookie Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Trey Palmer and tight ends Juwan Johnson (77, 889, three TD) and Noah Fant. 

DEFENSE - Edge rushers Cameron Jordan (10 1/2 QB sacks) and Chase Young (ten sacks) lead the way on the line along with Bryan Breese (2 1/2 sacks), Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux. The linebackers are Kaden Elliss (107 tackles with Atlanta), Carl Granderson (six sacks) and Pete Werner (81 tackles) and the secondary features safeties Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon and Jonas Sanker, who had two picks last season. The cornerbacks are Quincy Riley, Kool-Aid McKinstry (three interceptions) and rookie T.J. Hall (Iowa). The Saints had 45 quarterback sacks last year and ten interceptions while ranking ninth in total defense and allowing 22.5 points per game. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After a rough 1-8 start last year, the Saints finished strong, going 5-3 which included a four-game win streak in December with rookie Tyler Shough starting at quarterback. Head Coach Kellen Moore is looking for the team to continue the momentum this season and compete for the NFC South title, which Carolina won last year with a losing record. 

Shough did a good job and showed leadership as the starter and now has two running backs to go with a top notch wide receiver in Chris Olave. The team didn't re-sign Taysom Hill, who for nine seasons provided the team with rushing and receiving skills that kept opponents off guard. A bounce back season from running back Alvin Kamara would be a big boost after he dealt with a knee sprain last season that dropped his numbers. The defense was good, especially against the pass (4th in NFL) and the Saints were in the top ten with 45 sacks. Getting more turnovers would help (minus-4 in that category in 2025) and the team is replacing two starters from a year ago in the back seven on defense. 

The Saints haven't made the playoffs in six years (Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees last season) so they are hungry to get back after a late season surge showed they have life. Getting off to a better start in 2026 would be huge and on paper it looks doable after the first two games (on the road against Detroit and Baltimore) as they play five teams that had losing records last year and their bye comes after a game in Paris, France against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints could very well win the NFC South and make the playoffs. The key this year will be how much progress QB Tyler Shough can make after showing good play in the second half last season. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Detroit 

Week Two - at Baltimore 

Week Three - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Four - vs. Atlanta 

Week Five - vs. Minnesota 

Week Six - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Seven - vs. Pittsburgh (Paris, France) 

Week Eight - BYE 

Week Nine - vs. Cleveland 

Week Ten - vs. Carolina 

Week Eleven - at Chicago 

Week Twelve - at Cincinnati 

Week Thirteen - vs. Green Bay 

Week Fourteen - at Carolina 

Week Fifteen - at Tampa Bay 

Week Sixteen - vs. Arizona 

Week Seventeen - at Atlanta 

Week Eighteen - vs. Tampa Bay 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFL 2026 Season Preview - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS                                                                                         

2025 Record - 13-4-0 

Head Coach - Liam Coen 

2025 Offensive Rank - 337 YPG; Rushing - 115 YPG (20th), Passing - 222 YPG (12th) SCORING - 27.9 PPG (6th)

2025 Defensive Rank - 304 YPG (11th); Rushing - 86 YPG (1st), Passing - 218 YPG (21st) SCORING - 19.8 PPG (8th)  

Key Player Additions - Ruke Orhorhoro (DL), Chris Rodriguez, Jr. (RB), Ameer Abdullah (RB), Nate Boerkircher (TE)

Key Player Losses - Devin Lloyd (LB), Travis Etienne (RB), Dyami Brown (WR), Greg Newsome II (DB), Andrew Wingard (DB), Johnny Mundt (TE), Tim Patrick (WR), Emmanuel Ogbah (DL) 

OFFENSE - Trevor Lawrence is the starting quarterback after another big season, where he had 4,007 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and twelve interceptions and also rushed for 359 yards (4.4 YPC) and scored nine touchdowns. The running game will have a new lead running back in 2026 as Travis Etienne, Jr. left in the off-season. Bhayshul Tuten (307 rushing yards, 3.7 YPC, five TD) and Chris Rodriguez, Jr., who had 500 yards rushing (4.5 YPC) and six touchdowns with Washington last season. The wide receivers are Jakobi Meyers (75 receptions, 835 yards, three touchdowns) and Parker Washington, who made 58 catches for 847yards and five touchdowns. Two-way player Travis Hunter had 28 receptions for 298 yards and one score as a wide receiver. Brian Thomas, Jr. had 48 receptions for 707 yards and two scores while tight end Brenton Strange had 46 grabs for 540 yards with three touchdowns. Top rookie draft pick Nate Boerkircher will look to contribute at tight end as well. 

DEFENSE - Arik Armstead (5 1/2 QB sacks),  Ruke Orhorhoro, Josh Hines-Allen (eight sacks), DaVon Hamilton and Travon Walker (3 1/2 sacks) form the defensive front. The linebackers are Ventrell Miller, Foyesade Oluokun and Dennis Gardeck. The defensive backs include cornerbacks Jarrien Jones (three interceptions), Montaric Brown and Travis Hunter, who also doubles up at wide receiver for the Jaguars. Hunter missed ten games in his rookie season due to knee injuries. The safeties are Antoine Johnson, who had five picks last year and Caleb Ransaw. Keith Taylor, Jr., Jourdan Lewis and rookie Jalen Huskey (Maryland) add depth. The Jaguars finished eleventh in overall defense last season and allowed 19.8 points per game while topping the NFL against the run. They had a plus-13 in turnover rate (3rd in NFL) and picked off 22 passes (2nd) while getting 32 quarterback sacks. 

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - After two successive step back seasons, the Jaguars leaped to the top of the AFC South division last year and then lost a nail biter game to Buffalo in the wild card round of the AFC playoffs. Head Coach Liam Coen was the runner up for the NFL Coach of the Year as the team won 13 games in his first year at the helm and he has a knack for the saying and doing the unexpected that helps keep the team loose. 

With Trevor Lawrence finally showing consistency at quarterback, the Jaguars scored a lot of points and ranked sixth in the league in that area in 2025. More of that would go a long way to getting this team back to the playoffs and perhaps making a deep run this time around after a one-and-done appearance last year. The passing game is good and it will be a transition in 2026 with the rushing attack as their top back (Travis Etienne) left for New Orleans in free agency, leaving a tandem of running backs to keep things going and maintain balance on the offense. The defense was solid a year ago and should continue to be so as long as injuries don't take a toll. A better pass rush would help as the team ranked 27th in sacks. The Jags do get turnovers though and that helps flip the field for the offense, which took advantage of that last year. 

Jacksonville has big expectations for the upcoming NFL season and it would be a disappointment if they fail to reach the playoffs. The main foe for them in the AFC South is the Houston Texans, but Indianapolis is looking to bounce back after injuries to key players ruined their 2025 season, so the Jags can take nothing for granted this year. The playoffs look to be in the big picture in 2026 and how far the Jaguars can go will depend on Lawrence and the offense making the plays and the defense getting the big stops in crunch time. The Super Bowl isn't out of the question, but they will have to work hard to make it a reality. 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Cleveland 

Week Two - at Denver 

Week Three - vs. New England 

Week Four - at Cincinnati 

Week Five - vs. Philadelphia (London, England) 

Week Six - vs. Houston (London, England) 

Week Seven - BYE  

Week Eight - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Nine - at Baltimore 

Week Ten - at Tennessee 

Week Eleven - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Twelve - vs. Tennessee 

Week Thirteen - at Chicago 

Week Fourteen - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week Fifteen - at Houston 

Week Sixteen - at Dallas 

Week Seventeen - vs. Washington 

Week Eighteen - at Indianapolis