From primetime showdowns with Dallas and Baltimore to a high-stakes divisional race against Houston, these critical matchups will define Jacksonville’s quest for AFC South dominance and Super Bowl legitimacy.
The 2026 schedule for the Jacksonville Jaguars was released on Thursday, and some games hold significance for divisional purposes or strengthening the team's resume as Super Bowl contenders.
JaguarsRoundtable will analyze the 17 games set for the team next season and select the four most important games for Jacksonville.
5. Dallas Cowboys, Week 16
Jacksonville has its first primetime Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys to close out 2025. It is the first meeting between these two teams since Week 15 in 2023.
The Jaguars clinched a nail-biting victory over the Cowboys in overtime, 40-34. Primetime games draw the most attention, and Dak Prescott, who finished last season third in passing yards (4,552), will test a secondary that ranked 21st in passing yards allowed.
Dallas also added two defensive players in this year's draft, Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence. Despite trading Micah Parsons, inserting two first-round picks on defense could pose problems for the Jaguars.
4. Baltimore Ravens, Week 9
Similar to the Cowboys' matchup, Jacksonville has a Thursday Night Football primetime matchup against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The last time these two teams met was in Week 12, and the Jaguars reigned victorious, 28-27.
Jacksonville's defense has to face the tandem of Jackson and Derrick Henry, but defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile spearheaded the best run defense last season.
The Jaguars allowed 85.6 rushing yards per game, and could neutralize Henry when Thursday night approaches.
Baltimore is considered a Super Bowl contender, and coming out victorious could strengthen their resume as a top echelon team.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 14
The Pittsburgh Steelers are third on the list because the Jaguars decided to withdraw them from the opportunity of drawing their matchup for one of the London games.
Jacksonville defeated Pittsburgh in their last meeting in 2023, 20-10. These two teams have an interesting rivalry, meeting 28 times, and the Jaguars lead the series with 15 wins.
Choosing to play the Steelers at EverBank Stadium instead of London means the Jaguars want to play them in front of their fans and believe there could be an inherent advantage in playing at home.
2 and 1. Houston Texans, Weeks 6, 15
The Houston Texans series is the most important game of the season for Jacksonville, simply for the division.
Last season, the AFC South title came down to the wire between the Texans and Jaguars. Jacksonville finished 13-4 and won the division, while Houston finished the season 12-5.
Houston added a dynamic running back in David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions and extended defensive end Will Anderson Jr., which could propel them as division title contenders.
The 2026 AFC South could be another two-team race between the Jaguars and Texans, as it is the most important set of games for both teams next season.
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