AFC Playoff Picture: Jaguars can capture division with win over Titans

Denver, New England, Jacksonville, Houston, Buffalo and the Los Angeles Chargers all know they are in this season's NFL playoffs. Their seeds remain to be determined.

The Jaguars (12-5) can wrap up the AFC South with a win over Tennessee. The Baltimore-Pittsburgh winner will be the AFC North champion and the No. 4 seed.

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Here is a look at the AFC playoff picture:

1. Denver Broncos

The Broncos needed a touchdown with 1:45 remaining to outlast a pesky Chiefs team playing their third-string quarterback. Denver’s defense allowed only 139 yards offense to Kansas City. The Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to Houston clinched the Broncos’ first AFC West title since 2015, also the last year they won a playoff game (Super Bowl over Carolina). A Denver win over the Chargers and the AFC goes through Mile High.

2. New England Patriots

The Patriots’ win over the Jets combined with Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia clinched the AFC East title for New England a year after it went 4-13. They totally outclassed the Jets, leading 14-0 after the first quarter, 35-3 at halftime and 42-3 after the third quarter. Drake Maye’s MVP hopes improved with a statistic line that included more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (two). The Patriots can wrap up the No. 2 seed with a win over Miami.

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More: 10 Thoughts: How Jacksonville Jaguars bottled up Philip Rivers by mixing up pass rush

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Make it seven consecutive wins for the Jaguars after they overcame two red zone turnovers to complete a season sweep of the Colts, who fell from 7-1 to out of the playoffs. The scenario is simple for the Jaguars: Beat Tennessee, win the AFC South and secure at least the No. 3 seed. Lose to Tennessee and see Houston beat Indianapolis and the Jaguars have to hit the road for a wild-card game.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers stubbed all of their toes, losing 13-6 to a really bad Cleveland team to set up a winner-takes-everything AFC North title game against Baltimore. Minus receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers have no options at receiver to make big plays (eight catches for 60 yards in Week 17) and they are still without pass rusher T.J. Watt. Edge to the Ravens.

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5. Houston Texans

The Texans were 3-5 and trailed the Jaguars by 19 points in Week 10. Cue season turnaround. The Texans rallied past the Jaguars and haven’t lost since. The defense remains elite but the offense isn’t Super Bowl good. Houston has scored 36, 16, 23, 20, 20, 40, 23 and 20 points during its current winning streak.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers squandered a shot to win the AFC West by losing to the Texans. If you’re coach Jim Harbaugh, do you sit quarterback Justin Herbert for injury prevention and get him ready for wild card weekend? Makes sense regardless of it means a trip to New England or Jacksonville.

7. Buffalo Bills

A missed point-after attempt helped force Bills coach Sean McDermott to go for the two-point conversion (and the win) over Philadelphia, but quarterback Josh Allen shockingly misfired on his pass. Allen is nursing a foot injury so the Bills should have him make the ceremonial start (one snap) and then sit him to get ready for the playoffs.

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In the hunt

8. Baltimore (8-8): The good news for the Ravens is they’re still in the hunt. The even better news for the Ravens is they aren’t playing at home in Week 18; they’re 3-6 at home and 5-2 on the road. Derrick Henry (“The Yulee Bulldozer”) rushed 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the Ravens’ 41-24 win at Green Bay. He should be The Plan against Pittsburgh.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: AFC Playoff Glance: Jaguars remain in No. 3 spot