The Jacksonville Jaguars have established themselves as one of the NFL's most formidable outfits during the opening month of the 2026 season, and crucially, this success appears built to last rather than crumble like so many false dawns of the past.
The franchise's history is littered with promising starts that evaporated into disappointment. They reached the AFC Championship game in 1999, only to endure five consecutive seasons outside the playoffs. A return to the AFC title game in 2017 brought them agonisingly close to Super Bowl 52, yet that achievement was followed by four straight losing campaigns. More recently, they made the divisional round in 2022 before suffering two more missed playoff years and the dismissal of head coach Doug Pederson.
This iteration of the Jaguars, however, carries a fundamentally different character. After finishing 13-4 last season, they have won three of their opening four games in 2026, and the transformation owes much to the arrival of head coach Liam Coen, who took charge in 2025 and immediately reshaped the organisation's mentality and self-belief.
Coen's rapid ascent through the coaching hierarchy has been remarkable. He belongs in the same conversation as Sean McVay and Andy Reid, and while he has not yet reached the level of Kyle Shanahan, he is clearly moving into that elite echelon. Further success this season and beyond will only cement that trajectory. The Jaguars possess a steely resolve that flows directly from their head coach's influence.
Having spent time with Coen over the past couple of summers and conducted lengthy interviews with him, his demeanour is deceptively personable—he comes across as genuinely pleasant—yet there is an unmistakable edge beneath the surface. Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars' quarterback, revealed during training camp this year that Coen excels at instilling a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality throughout the roster.
The Jaguars themselves acknowledge they left opportunities on the table during 2025. Their performance fell short of their own expectations given how strongly they were playing as the season wound down. Now they arrive in London as genuine contenders, preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday as part of the franchise's two London home games this season.
Lawrence has genuinely emerged as an elite NFL quarterback. He executes plays when the moment demands it, turnovers have become increasingly rare in his game, and he retains the athleticism to escape the pocket and gain yards with his legs. The Jaguars deserve recognition for how they construct victories.
On the surface, their roster lacks a 1,000-yard receiver or a 1,000-yard running back, yet they generate sufficient points to win consistently. Their collection of skill-position players—Bhayshul Tuten at running back, Brenton Strange at tight end, Jakobi Myers, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr and rookie wide receiver Josh Cameron—functions as an interconnected unit rather than a star-dependent offence.
Last week's road victory in Cincinnati, where Jacksonville prevailed 22-17, exemplified this philosophy. Although Joe Burrow threw for more than 400 yards, the Jaguars' win was constructed on defensive excellence. That defence features recognisable names like Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Foye Oluokun, yet it operates as a collective rather than a star-led unit.
The parallel to the New England Patriots during their dynasty years is instructive. Jacksonville possesses an abundance of strong, middle-class players—steely, determined competitors who prioritise winning above individual accolades. Lawrence stands as the obvious star, but the roster is populated with the kind of football players who embody that winning mentality, all stemming from Coen's leadership.
The front office structure reinforces this foundation. Tony Boselli, the former aggressive offensive lineman, has assumed control of the football side. After 15 years of friendship, Boselli maintains a demeanour that combines warmth with an intimidating edge—precisely the kind of proper football person needed in a position of authority. The Jaguars have assembled the right people in the right places: the right head coach, the right quarterback, and the right football operations leadership.
Philadelphia enters the London matchup with a 2-2 record after their own mixed start to the season. The Eagles hold a significant historical advantage, leading the all-time series 5-3 and having won their last five meetings; Jacksonville's most recent victory over Philadelphia came in 2006. Both teams reached the postseason in 2025 but were eliminated in the Wild Card round, making this London encounter a significant opportunity for either side to establish momentum.
What comes next for Jacksonville
The Jaguars will face Philadelphia on Sunday, October 11, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. BST (9:30 a.m. ET). Following that fixture, Jacksonville is scheduled to host Houston at Wembley Stadium on October 18, giving the franchise two consecutive home games on English soil.
The blueprint is in place. The culture has shifted. The personnel, from the head coach through to the quarterback and supporting cast, aligns with championship ambitions. Tell me that isn't a recipe for a serious Super Bowl run this season and beyond.
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