Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 1’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
Question 1: Before we get to the season opener, what are your overarching expectations for the 2026 Jaguars?
Dillon Appleman: My expectations probably aren’t quite as sky-high as a lot of fans, but I certainly expect a playoff berth. Considering this year’s schedule and roster construction, I am comfortable predicting a 10-7 record and a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. I don’t expect a deep run at this point, but that could easily change after the first few weeks of the season.
Travis Holmes: Whether the floor of the roster has been raised or maintained remains a question in the fanbase, but one thing seems clear: the front office seems to believe they’re in a stable position for continued success, and I somewhat agree. Sans an injury at the quarterback position or an extended injury in the defensive front four, I expect Jacksonville to repeat as back-to-back AFC South Champions for the first time since 1998-99. My prediction for the 2026 Jaguars is a 12-5 record to earn another home playoff game (at a limited-capacity EverBank Stadium).
Gus Logue: I’ll stick to my original prediction of a 12-5 record. I really don’t see how the Jaguars could miss the playoffs unless Trevor Lawrence misses significant time. While they may not have the blue-chip talent to compete for a Super Bowl this season, they have plenty of ascending young players who could take another jump. The team is highly adaptable and ultra-competitive, equipped to solve any potential problem on game days. Few other teams can be reasonably projected to field top-12 units in offense, defense, and special teams. The best thing I can say about the Jaguars is that they are balanced — and I expect that to go a very long way in a division/conference there for the taking.
Henry Zimmer: I think the Jaguars can continue the shape they were in last year for a push at another AFC South title and a playoff run. The Houston Texans seem to be a big obstacle this year, especially with Will Anderson Jr. predicted by many to be the DPOTY, but it takes a whole team effort to win the division and beyond. Trevor Lawrence continues to excel in an actual offense built around him, and we truly get to see how best to use Travis Hunter. There should be a “playoffs or bust” mentality in Duval County moving forward.
Question 2: What’s the biggest question you have about the Jaguars as we enter the season?
Dillon: We still don’t know what the backfield workload is going to look like between Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, so it’s hard to really envision what game plans will look like, seeing as those two provide very different skill sets. So my biggest question is: What is our identity in the run game?
Travis: Can Anthony Campanile’s defense again be a top unit with Devin Lloyd’s 5 interceptions now residing in the Carolinas? A team that exited 2025 ranked second in the NFL in turnovers, losing its top defender for interceptions, poses the clear risk of a huge offseason loss. More importantly, the lack of a clear Week 1 answer in Lloyd’s vacated linebacker role presents another level of intrigue, as the team could potentially be facing a roster weakness in a spot that was previously a strength. With Jacksonville’s 2025 offense benefiting tremendously over their difficult opening five weeks from those increased turnovers, to the tune of a 4-1 record, this is no small question.
Gus: Can they hang with the big boys? The Jaguars were mollywhopped last season by the Rams and Seahawks, a.k.a. the NFL’s very best pass rushes and overall teams. Do they have the guys to win big-time games against powerhouse opponents? With three primetime matchups and two international games, Jacksonville will have several opportunities in the regular season to earn some respect.
Henry: The offensive line and subsequent run game might be my biggest concern. That concern is by no means breaking new ground, but it will be quite different not having Travis Etienne in the backfield, especially with his ability to catch passes. Can this offensive line keep Lawrence upright and get the ground game going, and can these backs support a healthy offensive attack?
Question 3: What are you hoping to learn about the Jaguars in Week 1?
Dillon: That Trevor Lawrence has mastered Liam Coen’s offense. Lawrence has never entered a season with quite the expectations as he has this season, and to live up to those, he will need to show that the system is muscle memory to him in Week 1. I’m hoping to see an effortlessness to the passing game above all else.
Travis: What will this 2026 Jacksonville run-game blocking, and the associated running back rotation, resemble? In a Week 1 matchup that most expect Jacksonville to handle easily, the run game should be present and active throughout the day on Sunday. Will we get any clarity on the Bhayshul Tuten/Chris Rodriguez timeshare questions? And will this offensive line be able to better open lanes than the unit seen in late 2025?
Gus: What will the spine of the defense look like? As Travis mentioned earlier, linebacker is a big question mark for the Jaguars. We can probably assume that Ventrell Miller will start opposite Foye Oluokun, but how often will he be taken off the field for Branson Combs? Will Oluokun himself be an every-down player? How often will the personnel adjust to field more defensive backs? What will the usage look like for CBs Jourdan Lewis and Jarrian Jones? Up front, what will DTs Albert Regis and Ruke Orhorhoro show in their first game as a Jaguar?
Henry: The Cleveland Browns are a lesser opponent. I want to see the Jags win in all three phases, not play with their food and just win a 60-minute football game outright. There should be no reason they cannot do that.
Dillon: Jaguars 24, Browns 14
Travis: Jaguars 27, Browns 13
Gus: Jaguars 20, Browns 0
Henry: Jaguars 35, Browns 10
What are your Week 1 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
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