The New England Patriots are looking to build their first winning streak of the 2026 NFL season as they travel to EverBank Stadium to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff have placed heavy emphasis on securing an early advantage to counter Jacksonville’s strong home momentum.
Jacksonville enters the matchup with an 8-2 record at home under head coach Liam Coen, frequently outscoring opponents in the opening half. In their home opener, the Jaguars capitalized on two defensive turnovers to jump out to a 24-0 lead before securing a 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Vrabel noted that the Jaguars’ energetic home crowd and ability to turn opponent miscues into points create unique early-game challenges.
For New England, avoiding an early deficit remains a primary goal. Quarterback Drake Maye pointed to last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the Patriots moved the ball effectively on their opening drive before a fumble halted momentum. Maye stressed the importance of finding early completions, staying decisive, and taking what the defense provides while remaining aggressive downfield.
"I feel like we had a good jump last week of starting fast and had a chance right there to make a big play," Maye said. "So, I think one of the biggest things for us is starting fast, especially for myself."
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels echoed the need for a strong 60-minute mentality without major letdowns. With forecasts calling for warm temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s and high humidity, the Patriots will rely on roster depth as they seek to establish offensive rhythm and claim their second consecutive victory.
