Dec. 22, 2025, 8:03 a.m. ET
There are three things that must happen over the final two weeks of the regular season for the Jacksonville Jaguars to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
With the Jaguars’ win on Sunday over Denver, Jacksonville was able to remain in the mix for the AFC’s top spot.
The Jaguars improved to 11-4 on the season as they ride a six-game winning streak into Week 17.
Jacksonville maintains a one-game lead in the AFC South over the (10-5) Houston Texans, and they are the three seed in the overall AFC playoff picture.
When it comes to that top playoff spot, the 12-3 Broncos and the 12-3 New England Patriots are ahead of the Jaguars.
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In order for this to happen, here is what must happen, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Jaguars must win out.Denver has to lose one of their last two games.New England has to lose one of their final two games.
The Jaguars finish out the regular season on the road against Indianapolis and then at home against Tennessee.
Denver is at Kansas City in Week 17 and then home against the LA Chargers in Week 18.
The Patriots take on the Jets on the road next week and then finish the season at home against Miami.
Updated AFC playoff standinsDenver 12-3New England 12-3Jacksonville 11-4Pittsburgh 9-6LA Chargers 11-4Buffalo 11-4Houston 10-5