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ESPN Analytics has a metric called “pain index,” which combines all the undesirable schedule effects, such as “rest differentials, back-to-back road trips, short weeks, and travel.”
Not only does Jacksonville rank #32 in 2026, but it is the worst “pain index” since 2002.
So it's worth looking at the Jaguars' schedule a little more closely.
Jacksonville has a net rest of only -3 days, which is #21, but they rank #26 in my prep and rest rankings.
They play four games with less rest than their opponents (#8 most).
From Week 10 on, they play four of nine games with less rest than their opponent.
The good news for Jacksonville during this stretch is they play the #7 easiest schedule of opponents, facing six of nine opponents who are not expected to make the playoffs.
What likely adds to ESPN’s “pain” is that Jacksonville has given up two home games to play in London this year, so they have a ton of unexpected travel.
They never play back-to-back games in Jacksonville and have a three-game road trip from Week 9 to Week 11 (BAL-TEN-NYG).
That trip begins with a short week road game on Thursday in Baltimore, and they also have back-to-back road games in Texas (HOU-DAL) in Week 15 and Week 16.
Playing in Jacksonville early in the season or late in the season can be a benefit, but in Weeks 1, 2, and 13 through 18, Jacksonville plays just two home games during the heat of the day.
The rest of the games are on the road, with one of them being a home night game to diminish the impact of the heat (Monday Night Football against the Steelers in Week 14).
Additionally, Jacksonville must play at elevation in Denver in Week 2 of the season, which is an adjustment for teams, particularly early in the season.
