The Jacksonville Jaguars finally got a December win, but didn’t get the help they needed to clinch the AFC South.
Instead the division will be decided in Week 18 after all three teams tied for the lead got wins Sunday. Jacksonville ended its four-game losing streak by beating the Carolina Panthers, the Indianapolis Colts held off a late surge from the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Houston Texans beat the brakes off the Tennessee Titans.
With only one week of regular season action left for each of the three teams, the Jaguars need only a Week 18 win against the Titans to lock up the title. If Jacksonville stumbles next week, the battle between the Colts and Texans in Indianapolis will crown the AFC South champ.
Elsewhere in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens laid claim to the No. 1 seed in the conference with a demolition of the Miami Dolphins. With four games left in Week 17, here’s how the standings across the AFC look:
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars: 9-7
Indianapolis Colts: 9-7
Houston Texans: 9-7
Tennessee Titans: 5-11
The Jaguars will be the AFC South champion if they beat the Titans in Nashville next week. If Jacksonville loses, the winner of a game between the Colts and Texans will be crowned the division champ.
AFC East
(x) Miami Dolphins: 11-5
Buffalo Bills: 10-6
New York Jets: 6-10
New England Patriots: 4-12
(x clinched playoff berth)
It wasn’t the smoothest effort from the Bills, but their Week 17 win against the Patriots was enough to set up a battle for the division title next week. Buffalo’s win against Miami earlier in the year means the Bills and Dolphins will play for the AFC East title next week.
AFC North
(y) Baltimore Ravens: 13-3
(x) Cleveland Browns: 11-5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7
Cincinnati Bengals: 8-7
(y clinched division title)
(x clinched playoff berth)
The AFC North race officially ended Sunday with the Ravens’ blowout of the Dolphins. All four teams are still in the mix for the playoffs, though.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 9-6
Denver Broncos: 7-8
Las Vegas Raiders: 7-9
Los Angeles Chargers; 5-10
The Chiefs haven’t wrapped up the AFC West, but it’d be official Sunday if they beat the Bengals and/or the Chargers beat the Broncos.
AFC Playoff Picture
(z) Baltimore Ravens: 13-3
(x) Miami Dolphins: 11-5
Kansas City Chiefs: 9-6
Jacksonville Jaguars: 9-7
(x) Cleveland Browns: 11-5
Buffalo Bills: 10-6
Indianapolis Colts: 9-7
(z clinched No. 1 seed)
(x clinched playoff berth)
In the hunt:
Houston Texans: 9-7
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7
Cincinnati Bengals: 8-7
Denver Broncos: 7-8
The Jaguars are still alive in the race for the No. 3 seed, but they’d need the Chiefs to lose Sunday against the Bengals.
