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Jaguars fans — what’s the greatest team in franchise history?
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The 1996 season was the first true “you’ve arrived” moment for the Jaguars. In just their second year of existence, the team stunned the league by finishing 9-7 and earning a Wild Card berth. Behind quarterback Mark Brunell and a fearless young roster, Jacksonville pulled off playoff upsets over the Buffalo Bills and top-seeded Denver Broncos before falling in the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots.
In 1999, the Jaguars delivered the most statistically dominant regular season in franchise history. Led again by Brunell and head coach Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville stormed to a 14-2 record, with both losses coming to the division rival Tennessee Titans. The offense was explosive, the defense opportunistic, and Hall of Fame tackle (and current VP of Football Ops) Tony Boselli anchored a powerhouse roster. After dispatching the Miami Dolphins 62-7 in the Divisional Round, the dream season ended in the AFC Championship against Tennessee — the only team that could solve Jacksonville that year.
The 2017 campaign revived the magic for a new generation of fans. Built around a ferocious defense nicknamed “Sacksonville,” featuring stars like Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, and Yannick Ngakoue, the Jaguars finished 10-6 and returned to the playoffs. They eked past the Buffalo Bills at home in the Wild Card Round and stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers in a high-scoring Divisional Round before falling heartbreakingly short in the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots.
The 2025 season marked a truly pivotal step in the franchise’s evolution. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence established as the face of the franchise, head coach Liam Coen hired to maximize his potential, and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers added before the trade deadline, the offense erupted during the second half of the season. Meanwhile, new all-time franchise sack leader Josh Hines-Allen and All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd anchored a defense that finished first in rushing yards allowed and second in forced turnovers. While it ended in a gutwrenching home loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round, 2025 showed that the Jaguars’ championship window is very much open.
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Before this most recent season, I suspect most folks would’ve said the 1999 team was the best in franchise history, with younger fans giving more love to the 2017 squad. Does the 2025 crew top either (or both) of them?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
