JACKSONVILLE – Welcome to the real stuff.

The Jaguars open the 2026 regular season against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and when considering that game, it's best to forget preseason storylines about defending division titles and making believers of the football world.

Those storylines are real, but none matter in Week 1 as much as simply winning.

That's never easy in the NFL, and it won't be easy for the defending AFC South Champion Jaguars Sunday. That's true despite being favored by many observers against a Browns team that enters the season with a new look and revamped roster under first-year Head Coach Todd Monken.

Always key to remember in Week 1:

It's often the NFL's weirdest week. Teams know less about their opponent in Week 1 than any week. That can mean breakdowns, turnovers and big plays – and weird results and upsets. It's also harder to gameplan for Week 1 than any other game.

"Especially in Week 1, it's so much about our execution, about our guys, our team," Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said. "You want to be aware of their players, aware of their game wreckers and some of the things that they do, but it's so much more about our team, our execution, our effort and our ability to respond to whatever does occur – both positive and negative."

The Jaguars beat the Carolina Panthers, 26-10, in Week 1 last season. A victory Sunday would be the first time since 2017-2018 they have won two consecutive season openers.

Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do to do that:

1. Run. This is usually No. 1 in Coen's offense and it will be a priority Sunday. The Jaguars focused this offseason on running more consistently. It's a reason they signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a restricted free agent. Running won't be easy against a physical Browns front, but it could be a priority.
2. Run II. This is about Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars don't design the offense around his running, but they're at their best when he runs when necessary – and he has become really good at turning trouble into production.
3. Get physical. This Jaguars team is at its best when it's the more physical team. That is its identity, even though observers sometimes miss that. The Browns are a very physical team. That makes Sunday a good physical test that the Jaguars must pass.
4. Win giveaway-takeaway. The Jaguars were among the NFL's best at forcing turnovers last season. It's hard to match their 31 takeaways from a season ago, but winning this area – particularly avoiding your own turnovers – is key in Week 1. The Jaguars are the favorites. You can't give the "underdogs" hope by giving them free opportunities.
5. Stop the run. The Jaguars were the NFL's best team against the run last season.  It keyed the entire defense. Improving the run game has been a Browns priority under Monken, so this could be strength versus strength Sunday.
6. Stay cohesive. The Jaguars offensive line has new faces and moving parts, with rookie Emmanuel Pregnon starting at left guard, Anton Harrison moving from right tackle to left and Ezra Cleveland moving from left guard to right. Right tackle also is a question, with starter Cole Van Lanen – out the entire offseason and preseason with a knee injury – a Week 1 game-time decision. This group was resilient and consistent through some lineup changes last season, and it must be so again Sunday.
7. Convert in the red zone. Red-zone offense looked like a strength in the preseason and training camp. That's good, and it's usually a sign of a high-functioning offense that can score in big moments, but it must be good when it counts.
8. Contain Watson. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's strength is using creativity to convert in clutch situations. That skill has hurt the Jaguars in the past. This is a new defense, and a new time. But that new defense must make sure that old nemesis is contained.
9. Rely on Washington. Wide receiver Parker Washington emerged late last season as a go-to receiver. He looked like a go-to receiver throughout the offseason and training camp. Every game has big plays and big moments. Washington must continue to be clutch at those times for the Jaguars to be at their best.
10. Just win. This is Week 1. It may not be smooth. It may not be pretty. None of it matters. Just win.