NFL playoff picture: How the Jacksonville Jaguars can clinch the AFC South in Week 18

The Jacksonville Jaguars are headed to the NFL Playoffs.

But Jacksonville can not only secure the AFC South (and a home playoff game) here in Week 18, but the Jaguars also have a slim chance at wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win, and some help, on the final day of the season.

Here are the playoff scenarios for the Jaguars in Week 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars AFC South scenarios

Let’s start with the AFC South.

As things stand, the Jaguars have a one-game lead over the Houston Texans heading into the final day of the season. While both teams have clinched a playoff spot, hosting a home game is worth fighting for in Week 18.

The Jaguars play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, while the Texans play the Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville secures the AFC South with a win or a tie against the Titans. However, they are still AFC South champions with a loss, provided the Texans lose or tie against the Colts.

Jacksonville Jaguars No. 1 seed scenarios

The AFC South is not the only thing the Jaguars can clinch this weekend.

Jacksonville still has an outside shot at the No. 1 seed.

Right now the Denver Broncos have the inside track to that spot with a 13-3 record. While the Broncos and the Patriots have matching records, Denver has already clinched a tiebreaker advantage over New England based on their record in common games.

Jacksonville is one game back, at 12-4.

But if the Jaguars beat the Titans, they lock up the No. 1 seed if the Broncos lose to the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Patriots lose to the Miami Dolphins.

It is also worth noting that if the Jaguars miss out on the AFC South with a loss, they could fall all the way to the No. 7 seed. If the Jaguars lose to the Titans, the Texans beat the Colts, the Chargers beat the Broncos, the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets, and then at least five of these teams win — the Cowboys, the Eagles, the Vikings, the Buccaneers, the Seahawks, the Rams, the Dolphins, and the Steelers — then the Jaguars are the No. 7 seed.

It … probably will not come to that. But if it does, you will be ready, dear reader.

AFC standings entering Week 18

Here are the full AFC standings entering Week 18:

1. Denver Broncos (13-3) – xy
2. New England Patriots (13-3) – xy
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) – x
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
5. Houston Texans (11-5) – x
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) – x
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5) – x
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-8) – e
9. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
10. Miami Dolphins (7-9) – e
11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) – e
12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) – e
13. Cleveland Browns (4-12) – e
14. Tennessee Titans (3-13) – e
15. New York Jets (3-13) – e
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
y – Team has clinched division
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

AFC South standings entering Week 18

Here are the AFC South standings ahead of the final week of play:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) – x
2. Houston Texans (11-5) – x
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-8) – e
4. Tennessee Titans (3-13) – e