Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) celebrates as he runs off the field after defeating the Colts during an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jaguars won 36-19[Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Identifying the Jaguars' Path to AFC's No. 1 Seed

Originally posted on Jacksonville Jaguars on SI
By John Shipley | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 11:30 AM ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After a 10-4 start to the Liam Coen era, the Jacksonville Jaguars are in good position to, at least, earn a playoff spot.

But on Sunday vs. the Denver Broncos, the Jaguars are playing for more than just a ticket to the dance. Instead, the Jaguars can take their biggest step yet toward claiming the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Fight For No. 1 Seed

For the Jaguars to claim the AFC's No. 1 seed -- and ensure they don't lose ground to the Houston Texans in the AFC South -- it of course will start with finding a way to win on the road in Denver.

"Few have talked about the Jaguars, but they have a path to the No. 1 seed. If they win their final three games, and if the Broncos lose in either Week 17 at Kansas City or in Week 18 to the Chargers, and the Patriots lose once more, Jacksonville would be the AFC’s No. 1 seed," ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Sunday.

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The Broncos currently hold the No. 1 seed and are playing for the same seeding advantages the Jaguars are playing for, with the Los Angeles Chargers similarly on their trail in the AFC West. That means the magnitude of Sunday's game for both teams is at a clear high.

“Yeah, it's a big game. I feel like every—last week was a big game. Colts was a big game and this one's no different," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said this week.

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"It's a big game for us, and at this point in this season with where we're at, when you've put yourself in position like we have and obviously like the Broncos have, and like a bunch of teams in the AFC have, every game is huge at the end of the year which is where you want to be. So, I think there's no secret about how important it is, but it's still just a game and you’ve got to prepare the same way. You can't put too much pressure on it. You’ve just got to go out there and play.”

For the Jaguars to even be in the conversation for the No. 1 seed at this point is a win for the Coen era. The Jaguars were not picked by many -- if anyone -- to even be a playoff team this season. Now, a win in Week 16 could help them run the table.