Eric Moody from ESPN dropped a bomb about the 2026 Jacksonville Jaguars. After a super successful first season under Liam Coen, with Trevor Lawrence absolutely thriving and the defense locking things down, you’d think it’s smooth sailing. But Moody is pointing out some serious potholes on their road to taking that “good-sized step forward.”
The Stats That Will Keep You Up At Night
Moody isn’t pulling any punches. He highlighted that Jacksonville went 6-3 in one-score games last season. Think about that for a second. Plus, they finished second in the entire NFL in takeaways! Sounds great, right? But Moody calls these “two statistical areas that tend to fluctuate from year to year.” Basically, replicating that kind of success, making those clutch plays and getting those turnovers, it ain’t easy. That’s a huge potential regression right there, and if those numbers start to normalize, their record could take a serious hit.
A Brutal Road Ahead
And if those fluctuating stats weren’t enough, Moody points out the schedule isn’t doing them any favors either. They’re staring down a first-place schedule this season. That’s a brutal gauntlet against some of the league’s top teams. What’s more, they’ve got some straight-up road-heavy stretches they’ll have to navigate. Playing tough teams on their turf? That’s a recipe for some serious grind, especially if those one-score games start flipping the other way. Every win on that schedule is going to be hard-earned.
But here’s the kicker, despite all these red flags, Moody’s “best bet” for the Jaguars is that they will actually be a playoff team once again. Wild, right? He admits their win total might regress, but he’s banking on Lawrence keeping that offense competitive. Plus, he notes a “favorable second-half schedule” could give them a chance to recover if they stumble early. He’s leaning towards a wild card berth over a division title, though. So, even with all these obstacles, Moody still sees them in the mix. Can they overcome those fluctuating stats and brutal road trips to prove him right? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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