Things are going to be a lot different for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season.

After last year's surprising 13-4 record and AFC South division title, expectations for the team are higher in 2026 than they have been in a long time. Fan optimism in Jacksonville is near the top of the entire NFL. The Jaguars will not be able to surprise anyone this year and have gone from being the hunter to the hunted.

Even with last season's success and higher expectations than normal, Jacksonville has been able to fly under the radar more than one would expect for a team that won 13 games the previous year.

Many analysts believe the Jaguars will decline this season, and most think the Houston Texans will overtake them as division champions. Liam Coen is doing everything he can to prevent his team from experiencing a letdown in his second year as head coach.

The lack of belief in the Jaguars ability to prove they are more than just a one-year wonder is surprising. The team is loaded with top-end talent all over the roster, especially at premium positions.

They have a potential MVP candidate in Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. Jacksonville's wide receiver room may be the deepest in the league. Edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen is one of the NFL's best players, and his running mate, Travon Walker, already has a pair of double-digit sack seasons under his belt. Travis Hunter is expected to be a generational player, and his potential at cornerback is immense.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic is a believer in the Jaguars. In an article making one "bold prediction" for every NFL team, Howe predicts that Jacksonville will prove the doubters wrong by winning back-to-back division titles.

Howe believes the Jaguars are up for the challenges they will face this season, including a battle with the Texans for the AFC South. He also thinks Jacksonville will build on last year's success by winning at least one game in the playoffs, something it was unable to do in 2025. 

"The Jaguars (not the Colts, James) will win the AFC South for the second year in a row, earning back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time this millennium. They’ll also win a playoff game for the second time in nine years. With the perceived expectation they’ll take a step back in Liam Coen's second year, along with the likelihood they’ll see an improved Houston challenger, the Jags seem to be flying under the radar. They’re locked in and confident, though, so expect a jump in Jacksonville. — Jeff Howe"

The Jaguars should be able to take another leap forward in Year 2 under Coen. The team got significantly better as last season went along, clearly becoming more comfortable in Coen's system.

Now that they have a year under Coen under their belt, the Jaguars will be entering this season with a knowledge of the system they didn't have at the beginning of last year.

Even if they don't repeat last season's 13 wins, this year's team will be judged by how it performs in the playoffs, not the regular season.

The AFC South will be a tough division this year. Jacksonville will not only face a challenge from the Texans but also from the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts started 8-2 last season before an injury to quarterback Daniel Jones sent them into a tailspin. 

Howe believes the Jaguars will rise to the occasion and repeat as division champs, returning to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time this century.

Jacksonville has a wealth of talent and the coaching staff to be a contender for years to come. The Jaguars need another successful season before they earn the respect of those around the NFL.

Howe thinks they will prove their doubters wrong not just by having another strong regular season, but also by having success in the playoffs.