Florida’s three NFL franchises are heading into Week 9 of the 2026 season on very different paths. The Jacksonville Jaguars are emerging as legitimate playoff contenders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting their way back into the NFC South race, and the Miami Dolphins are struggling to keep their season alive.
With Jacksonville sitting at 5-2, Tampa Bay at 3-5, and Miami at 1-6, the Sunshine State has experienced its share of highs and lows this season. Here’s where each team stands entering a critical Week 9.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Florida’s Team to Beat
Record: 5-2 | Week 8: Defeated Indianapolis Colts 42-7
The Jacksonville Jaguars are making a strong case as Florida’s best NFL team in 2026.
Coming off their bye week, Jacksonville dominated the Indianapolis Colts in a 42-7 victory that showcased an explosive offense and a defense capable of taking over games.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered an efficient performance, completing 10 of 14 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Bhayshul Tuten added 104 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.
Jacksonville’s plus-85 point differential reflects how well the team has performed on both sides of the football.
More importantly, the Jaguars have established a commanding lead in the AFC South, putting themselves in an excellent position to compete for a division title.
Looking Ahead to Week 9
Jacksonville travels to Baltimore for Thursday Night Football on November 5.
The Ravens enter the matchup at 4-4 after dropping three consecutive games. Baltimore is also dealing with significant quarterback injuries, including Lamar Jackson’s thumb injury.
The Jaguars have an opportunity to improve to 6-2 and further establish themselves among the AFC’s top contenders.
Week 9 Prediction: Jaguars win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Don’t Count Them Out Yet
Record: 3-5 | Week 8: Defeated Atlanta Falcons 16-0
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have a losing record, but their recent performances suggest their season is far from over.
Tampa Bay delivered one of the most unusual victories of the NFL season Sunday, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without completing a single pass.
Playing through difficult weather conditions, the Buccaneers leaned heavily on their rushing attack, accumulating a franchise-record 324 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Tampa Bay was equally impressive, intercepting Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. four times and recording its first shutout since the 2023 season finale.
The victory marked Tampa Bay’s second consecutive win and provided renewed hope for a team that struggled earlier in the season.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is still working his way back after suffering a fractured thumb, making the continued success of the running game particularly important.
Looking Ahead to Week 9
The Buccaneers travel to Chicago to face the 5-2 Bears on Sunday Night Football, November 8.
Chicago presents a difficult challenge, particularly for a Tampa Bay offense still searching for consistency through the air.
However, the NFC South remains competitive, and the Buccaneers have already demonstrated their ability to win important divisional games.
A victory over Chicago could significantly improve Tampa Bay’s outlook entering the second half of the season.
Week 9 Prediction: Bears win, but Tampa Bay keeps it competitive.
Miami Dolphins: Running Out of Time
Record: 1-6 | Week 8: Lost to New England Patriots 24-19
While Jacksonville is thriving and Tampa Bay is showing signs of improvement, the Miami Dolphins continue searching for answers.
Miami suffered another disappointing defeat Sunday, falling 24-19 to the New England Patriots after holding a 13-3 halftime lead.
Quarterback Malik Willis completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Despite some promising moments offensively, Miami failed to maintain its momentum in the second half as Patriots quarterback Drake Maye helped engineer the comeback.
The Dolphins have now lost six of their first seven games and sit at the bottom of the AFC East standings.
At this stage, consistency remains Miami’s biggest challenge. The Dolphins have shown flashes of competitiveness but have struggled to produce complete performances against quality opponents.
Looking Ahead to Week 9
Miami hosts the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 8.
Detroit enters the game with a 5-2 record and a three-game winning streak, presenting another difficult test for the Dolphins.
For Miami, the matchup represents an opportunity to regain confidence and potentially begin turning its season around.
However, with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots firmly ahead in the AFC East standings, the Dolphins have little room for additional losses.
Week 9 Prediction: Lions win.
Which Florida NFL Team Has the Best Playoff Outlook?
Through eight weeks of the NFL season, Jacksonville has clearly separated itself from Florida’s other franchises.
The Jaguars possess the strongest record, the most impressive point differential, and a commanding position within their division.
Tampa Bay remains an intriguing team because of its recent defensive improvements and the competitive nature of the NFC South.
Miami, meanwhile, faces a much more difficult road. With only one victory entering Week 9, the Dolphins would need a dramatic turnaround to reenter the playoff conversation.
Here’s how Florida’s three franchises stack up:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2): The clear frontrunner among Florida’s NFL teams and a legitimate AFC playoff contender.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5): Showing signs of improvement with two consecutive victories and a realistic opportunity to compete in the NFC South.
- Miami Dolphins (1-6): Searching for consistency and facing an increasingly difficult road toward postseason contention.
Final Thoughts: A Defining Week for Florida Football
Week 9 presents three very different opportunities for Florida’s NFL franchises.
Jacksonville can strengthen its position as one of the AFC’s emerging contenders with a road victory over Baltimore.
Tampa Bay has a chance to extend its winning streak and prove that its recent resurgence is more than a temporary turnaround.
Miami simply needs a victory.
As the NFL season approaches its midpoint, the Jaguars appear ready to lead the Sunshine State into the postseason conversation. Whether the Buccaneers can join them, or the Dolphins can find a way to salvage their season, remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Week 9 could reveal a lot about where Florida’s NFL teams are headed in 2026.
NFL Week 9 Preview | November 2, 2026
Florida’s three NFL franchises are heading into Week 9 on very different paths. The Jacksonville Jaguars look like legitimate playoff contenders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are showing signs of life after a difficult start, and the Miami Dolphins are struggling to keep their season from slipping away.
Jacksonville Jaguars | Team Golf
Jacksonville Jaguars
5–2
1st in AFC South | Week 8: Beat Colts 42–7
Week 9: At Baltimore Ravens, Thursday 8:15 PM ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3–5
NFC South race | Week 8: Beat Falcons 16–0
Week 9: At Chicago Bears, Sunday 8:20 PM ET
Miami Dolphins
1–6
Last in AFC East | Week 8: Lost to Patriots 24–19
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Records and matchups verified against the NFL’s official standings and schedules. nfl.com+2
Jacksonville Jaguars: Florida’s Team to Beat
Jacksonville enters Week 9 with the strongest record of Florida’s NFL teams and a convincing 42-7 victory over Indianapolis.
Trevor Lawrence threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts, while Bhayshul Tuten contributed 104 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. The Jaguars have also developed one of the league’s strongest point differentials at plus-85.
Thursday’s matchup against Baltimore presents another opportunity. The Ravens have dropped three consecutive games and face significant quarterback injury concerns, including Lamar Jackson’s thumb injury.
The outlook: Jacksonville is positioned to make a serious postseason run. The challenge now is maintaining that momentum away from home. jaguars.com+2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Don’t Count Them Out Yet
The Buccaneers may be just 3-5, but their recent performances suggest their season is far from finished.
Tampa Bay shut out Atlanta 16-0 in Week 8 despite Baker Mayfield failing to complete a pass in rainy conditions. The Buccaneers rushed for a franchise-record 324 yards and intercepted Michael Penix Jr. four times.
That defensive performance, combined with a two-game winning streak, offers encouragement heading into Sunday night’s matchup with the 5-2 Chicago Bears.
The outlook: Tampa Bay still has a realistic path through the NFC South. However, the offense must demonstrate it can consistently produce when opposing defenses take away the running game. NFL 2026-27 Results & Scores+2
Miami Dolphins: Running Out of Time
Miami’s 1-6 record tells the story of a season that has struggled to gain momentum.
The Dolphins led New England 13-3 at halftime Sunday but surrendered their advantage in a 24-19 loss. Quarterback Malik Willis completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
There are encouraging signs from Willis, but Miami continues to struggle to put together four complete quarters.
The Dolphins now host a Detroit Lions team carrying a 5-2 record and a three-game winning streak.
The outlook: Miami needs a significant turnaround, and quickly. A victory over Detroit would provide a major confidence boost, but the Dolphins remain the Florida franchise facing the steepest climb toward playoff contention. patriots.com+2
Week 9 Predictions
| Team | Prediction | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguars at Ravens | Jaguars win | High |
| Buccaneers at Bears | Bears win | Medium |
| Lions at Dolphins | Lions win | High |
Jacksonville looks like Florida’s best opportunity for postseason success, while Tampa Bay remains a team worth watching in the NFC South. Miami, meanwhile, needs to start stacking wins before its season becomes entirely about building toward 2027.
The biggest question entering Week 9: Can Jacksonville establish itself as a true AFC contender, or will Florida’s NFL spotlight shift toward Tampa Bay’s late-season comeback attempt?
