\u201cWe know everybody\u2019s probably going to try to hop on this bandwagon now, but we don\u2019t want anybody,\u201d linebacker Travon Walker said.<\/p>\n
The surging Jaguars are where we begin the Week 16 review:<\/p>\n
\u22c5 The Jaguars have won six in a row, but mostly against the dregs of the league \u2014 Cardinals, Titans, and Jets. But taking down the No. 1 seed, and ending their 12-game win streak at Mile High, proved the Jaguars are legit.<\/p>\n
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Against one of the NFL\u2019s top defenses, Trevor Lawrence and the offense put up 34 points and went 8 for 15 on third down. The Jaguars\u2019 defense also forced two turnovers, plus a turnover on downs in the second half to turn a 17-17 game into 34-17. And they shut down a Broncos team that has five fourth-quarter comebacks this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just shows that this team doesn\u2019t mind going and playing anywhere, any time, any place\u201d coach Liam Coen said. \u201cWe all kind of enjoy each other and hanging out and traveling and playing in games that nobody really thinks we\u2019re going to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most strikingly, the Jaguars and Coen aren\u2019t afraid to mix it up. Coen got into a heated argument with 49ers coach Robert Saleh earlier this season after the Jaguars won in San Francisco. And after Sunday\u2019s win, Coen opened his press conference stating, \u201cJust thankful that a small-market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done.\u201d <\/p>\n
It was a mocking response toward Broncos coach Sean Payton, who called Jacksonville \u201ca smaller market\u201d in a passing comment last week.<\/p>\n
The Jaguars sit as the No. 3 seed, and finish the season with winnable games against the Colts and Titans that could propel them to No. 2 or even 1. Either way, the Jaguars deserve to be taken seriously for the playoffs.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 The Broncos got knocked down after 11 straight wins as Bo Nix, with six game-winning drives this year, finally ran out of magic. Denver still looks like a top contender, but not quite as invincible as before, especially at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d rather have it hit you now than in the first round of playoffs,\u201d Nix said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t call it a wake-up call, because we were playing well. It\u2019s just one of those that will reset you and get you back to where you need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Broncos still hold the No. 1 seed, but their grip is no longer ironclad. They are tied at 12-3 with the Patriots, who finish with two easy opponents (Jets and Dolphins) while the Broncos face a potentially tough game against the Chargers in Week 18.<\/p>\n
If the Patriots somehow stumble, the Broncos could still lose the No. 1 seed to the Jaguars or Chargers.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 For the 36th straight year, the NFL will have at least four different playoff teams from the year before, with the 49ers, Seahawks, Bears, and Patriots already clinching. (The latter two were last-place teams in 2024.) The Jaguars can clinch a spot if the Colts lose Monday night. And the Panthers, leading the AFC South by a game, could make a sixth.<\/p>\n
With new blood in, old blood is out. The 6-9 Chiefs already are out. The 8-7 Lions need two wins and two Packers losses to sneak into the playoffs, but have lost three of four and their defense is falling apart. Without former coordinator Aaron Glenn, Detroit allowed 481 yards in a loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The 7-8 Ravens are two games behind the Steelers in the AFC North and will be eliminated if they lose either of their final two games, starting Saturday in Green Bay. They\u2019ll have to do it with Lamar Jackson battling through a back injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we\u2019ll come out fighting, because that\u2019s what we\u2019ve done all year,\u201d Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.<\/p>\n
Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett: Is 1-9 as a starter this year after Sunday\u2019s loss to the Falcons, but Brissett has 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions and a career-best 93.7 quarterback rating.<\/p>\n
Steelers S Kyle Dugger: Recorded his second score of the season with a sack of Jared Goff in the end zone for a safety, plus had a 73-yard pick-6 last month against the Bengals. Dugger has played all 478 snaps in seven games since being acquired.<\/p>\n
Bills OLB Matthew Judon: Wasn\u2019t active for Sunday\u2019s game, but found a new home in Buffalo after Miami released him.<\/p>\n
Texans GM Nick Caserio and OC Nick Caley: Survived a squeaker against the Raiders, 23-21, for their seventh straight win to improve to 10-5. The Texans are on the verge of becoming the seventh team, and first since the 2018 Texans, to make the playoffs after an 0-3 start.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 The Buccaneers\u2019 three-game losing streak has come against NFC South opponents. They can still win the division by beating the Dolphins and Panthers, but at 7-8, they look done.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 Death, taxes, and the Steelers not having a losing record. It\u2019s 22 straight years, including the last 19 led by Mike Tomlin.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 Something to watch: Josh Allen tweaked his foot in Sunday\u2019s win over the Browns, and the Bills scored only 3 points after halftime.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 The Bears are 7-2 in one-score games \u2014 not sustainable, but a lot of fun.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 The Saints\u2019 Taysom Hill became the first player in the Super Bowl era with 1,000 career yards passing, rushing, and receiving.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 Always impressed by teams that fight hard with nothing to play for. The 5-10 Saints have won three in a row behind rookie QB Tyler Shough and coach Kellen Moore.<\/p>\n
\u22c5 March of the tomato cans<\/a>: The Jets got crushed in New Orleans and still don\u2019t have an interception this year, while the Dolphins got blown out at home by the Bengals.<\/p>\n \u22c5 I thought the NFL would give Steelers receiver DK Metcalf a one-game suspension for going after a fan during the game in Detroit. It gave him two games (pending appeal), which still feels appropriate.<\/p>\n \u22c5 Falcons running back Bijan Robinson became the first player since Le\u2019Veon Bell in 2017 with 75 yards both rushing and receiving in consecutive games.<\/p>\n \u22c5 The Packers are breaking down. They lost Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, and another tight end on Sunday to season-ending injuries, Jordan Love has a concussion, and backup QB Malik Willis a sore shoulder.<\/p>\n \u22c5 The Steelers\u2019 running backs scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving), all from 45 yards out.<\/p>\n \u22c5 The Giants and Raiders are both 2-13, sitting Nos. 1-2 for the No. 1 pick. They play Sunday in Vegas.<\/p>\n \u22c5 Sunday night\u2019s win was the Patriots\u2019 first fourth-quarter comeback of at least 11 points since Super Bowl 51<\/a>.<\/p>\n