Florida sports: Big week ahead

Florida sports fans have plenty to follow this week, with the Florida Panthers opening their NHL season with a dramatic overtime victory, the Jacksonville Jaguars coming off a dominant performance, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dealing with a major quarterback change.

Panthers open the season with a dramatic win

The Florida Panthers started their 2026–27 NHL campaign with a 1–0 overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The game remained scoreless through regulation before Gustav Forsling scored the deciding goal with just seconds remaining in overtime.

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom also made a strong debut for Florida, recording a shutout in his first game with the Panthers.

The victory gave Florida an exciting start to the new season.

Jaguars coming off a 35–6 blowout

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars delivered one of their strongest performances of the young NFL season, defeating the New England Patriots 35–6.

Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes as Jacksonville controlled the game on both sides of the ball.

The Jaguars are now preparing for their Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 4.

The team will be looking to build on the momentum from the convincing victory.

Major quarterback change in Tampa Bay

The situation is very different in Tampa.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the season 0–3, and the team will now have to play without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is dealing with a thumb injury.

Rookie Jalon Daniels is expected to make his first NFL start when Tampa Bay hosts the Green Bay Packers on October 4.

It will be a major opportunity for the young quarterback as the Buccaneers try to turn around their difficult start.

Florida college football also making headlines

College football has also given Florida fans plenty to celebrate.

Florida’s seven FBS programs — Miami, Florida, Florida State, UCF, USF, FIU and FAU — all won on the same Saturday, an unusual accomplishment for the state’s major college football programs.

The Florida Gators also produced one of the weekend’s biggest results, defeating No. 4 Ole Miss, 52–28.

What to watch next

The next few days will bring several important Florida sports storylines:

Panthers: Can they continue their strong start to the NHL season?
Jaguars: Can Jacksonville follow its 35–6 win with another strong performance?
Buccaneers: How will rookie Jalon Daniels perform in his first NFL start?
College football: Can Florida’s teams maintain their momentum?

From Jacksonville to Tampa and South Florida, there is no shortage of sports action across the state.

DUANEWS | Sports