Fresh off a historic 13-4 season, Jacksonville faces a grueling gauntlet of elite units, including five top-15 defenses in six weeks, to defend their AFC South crown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2026 season as the defending AFC South Division champions and are looking to repeat as division champs for the first time in team history.
Standing in their way are some of the best defenses in the NFL. This season the Jaguars will play a first-place schedule after a 13-4 finish in 2025, but have the 11th-easiest strength of schedule (.490 opponent winning percentage). Along with squaring off against the league’s best defense twice, Jacksonville will open the season playing five top-15 defenses in their first six games.
Here we rank the Jaguars’ 14 defensive opponents in 2026.
1. Houston Texans
Thanks to the NFL’s best defense, the Texans advanced to the Divisional Round of the Playoffs and had a 12-5 regular season record. Houston finished No. 1 in yards allowed (277.2 yards per game) and No. 2 in points allowed (17.4 points per game) and are expected to remain at the top with the return of most of their team from last year. The Jaguars will face the Texans at home in Week 6 and in Houston in Week 15.
2. Denver Broncos
Along with playing in their first road game of the season in Week 2, the Jaguars will face an early test in a Broncos defense that was No. 2 in yards allowed (278.2 ypg) and No. 3 in points allowed (18.3 ppg). Denver also led the league in sacks (68) on their way to an appearance in the AFC Championship Game. Like the Texans, health will play a key role in the Broncos continued defensive success.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh defense is littered with veteran leadership at all levels. Despite allowing 356.9 ypg (No. 26) and allowing 22.8 ppg, the Steelers won the AFC North Division (10-7). Patrick Graham takes over as defensive coordinator under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. Jacksonville will host Pittsburgh in Week 14.
4. New England Patriots
New England’s surprise run to Super Bowl LX was helped along by their surprise defense. After allowing 343.3 ypg and 24.5 ppg in 2024, the Patriots improved to No. 8 in yards allowed (295.2 ypg) and No. 4 in points allowed (18.8 ppg).
Last season New England held six opponents to 14 points or fewer and allowed more than 20 points once in its four playoff games. The Jaguars will take on the Patriots at home in Week 3.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
A season removed from a dominant defensive performance in Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles fell back to the middle of the pack in 2025, allowing 314.2 ypg (No. 13). Philadelphia managed to repeat as NFC East Division champions last season by allowing just 19.1 ppg (No. 5), but gave up nearly 400 yards of total offense in their Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles will come to Jacksonville in Week 5.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Traditionally a team synonymous with stout defenses, the Ravens struggled mightily. Baltimore finished No. 30 against the pass and was No. 24 in the league in yards allowed (354.4 ypg) and allowed 23.4 ppg in 2025.
Baltimore missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021, but will welcome defensive guru Jesse Minter as the team’s new head coach this season. The Jaguars will take on the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 9.
7. Cleveland Browns
Despite winning just five games last season the Browns boasted one of the NFL’s best defenses—with 2025 AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Now the Browns will try and repeat their success after trading Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Cleveland was No. 4 in yards allowed (283.6 ypg) and gave up 22.3 ppg. Jacksonville will get the first look at the Browns’ new defense in Week 1 at home.
8. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were the early season presumptive No. 1 seed in the AFC after starting the season 8-2, but the wheels came off after the bye. Indianapolis went on to lose its final seven games of the season and missed the playoffs, in large part because of the defense. During their losing streak the Colts’ defense allowed 29.4 ppg. On the season Indianapolis was No. 23 in yards allowed (349.8 ypg) and 24.2 ppg. Jacksonville beat the Colts twice in the last seven games, averaging 29.5 ppg. The Jaguars will play Indianapolis at home in Week 8 and then on the road in Week 18.
9. Chicago Bears
The Bears led the NFL in takeaways (33) but struggled on the defensive side of the ball overall. Chicago was No. 29 in yards allowed (361.8 ypg) and gave up 24.4 ppg. The Bears had just 25 sacks, allowed 227.2 yards passing per game and didn’t add to a mediocre pass rush in the offseason. Jacksonville will have the Bears in Chicago in Week 13.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season but spent the offseason upgrading the defensive line. Cincinnati was No. 31 in yards allowed (380.9 ypg) and allowed 28.9 ppg. The Bengals were No. 23 in sacks with 35.0 and gave up more than 30 points in a game seven times in 2025. The Jaguars will face the Bengals on the road in Week 4.
11. Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ defense will have a new look this season with new head coach Robert Saleh taking over. Tennessee was No. 21 in yards allowed (345.1 ypg) and allowed 28.1 ppg. In their two games against Jacksonville, the Jaguars outscored the Titans 66-10. Jacksonville will travel to Tennessee in Week 10 and then will host the Titans in Week 12.
12. New York Giants
The Giants have the potential of having one of the most feared defensive lines in the league after amassing 39 sacks last season, but managed to win just four games in 2025.
New York was No. 28 in yards allowed (359.5) and allowed 25.8 ppg. The Giants will host the Jaguars in Week 11.
13. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys used the offseason to overhaul a defensive unit that was No. 30 in yards allowed (377.0 ypg) and a league-worst 30.1 ppg last season. Dallas won seven games but opponents scored more than 30 points nine times. Jacksonville will take on the Cowboys in Dallas in Week 16.
14. Washington Commanders
Despite having a defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn the Commanders were abysmal last season. Washington was last in the league in yards allowed (384.0 ypg) and gave up 26.5 ppg. During an eight-game losing streak from Week 6 to Week 14, the Commanders allowed 31.6 ppg. Jacksonville will square off against Washington at home in Week 17.
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