Jaguars find a rematch of one of their biggest 2025 conquests on ESPN’s list of must-watch games for 2026
Jacksonville is returning to the site of one of their best wins last year, and it should make for appointment television.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will find themselves in the limelight quite a few times during the 2026 season. After a 13-4 record and AFC South title a year ago, the Jags will have the eyes of the nation on them a number of times next season.
Between back-to-back London games, a Thursday night matchup at Baltimore and primetime matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday Night Football) and Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football), Jacksonville will be a part of some big games in 2026.
However, one matchup ranks higher as far as must-see TV, according to ESPN’s Ben Solak. The Week 2 clash with the Denver Broncos, set for a 4:05 pm ET kickoff on September 20, checks in one of Solak’s five must-watch games for 2026.
Jaguars vs. Broncos ranks as one of five must-watch games in 2026 per ESPN
“Last season, the Jaguars put a statement win on their first-year surge under coach Liam Coen by winning in Denver 34-20,” Solak wrote. “This year, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has a shiny new option in wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who might be the final “Infinity Stone” the team needs for a Super Bowl run.
“But how healthy will Nix be this early in the season as he returns from an ankle injury? And how much Travis Hunter will Waddle see, as the Jaguars continue to fiddle with the snap distribution for their two-way unicorn? This is an important rematch.”
The Jaguars went to Denver late last season and battled the elements and a tough Denver team to come away with a 34-20 win over the eventual AFC No. 1 seed Broncos. Trevor Lawrence threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, with Parker Washington going off for 145 yards on six catches and a score.
Unfortunately for Jacksonville, a playoff rematch didn’t come to pass after the Jaguars fell at home to Buffalo 27-24 in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Denver fell in the AFC title game to New England thanks in large part to Bo Nix being out and the Broncos being completely unable to move the ball.
Now, both teams come into the 2026 season with sky-high Super Bowl hopes, and one will get a significant boost at that goal in the second week of the season.