NFL playoff picture: How the Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth after win over Broncos in Week 16

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NFL playoff picture: How the Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth after win over Broncos in Week 16

Jaguars. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs in Week 16.

by Mark SchofieldUpdated Dec 22, 2025, 12:24 AM UTC

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Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesMark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Sunday result: The Jaguars scored a huge victory by downing the Broncos 34-20 on Sunday. With that result, the Jags can officially clinch a playoff berth with a Colts loss on Monday Night Football. The added bonus for Jacksonville is that it has now entered the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, as it now sits just a game behind Denver with the tiebreaker in its back pocket.

One of the most fascinating matchups in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season takes place in the late-afternoon window on Sunday, when the 12-2 Denver Broncos host the 10-4 Jacksonville Jaguars.

While the Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot, the Jaguars can join them in the postseason with a win over Denver, and a little bit of help from around the rest of the league.

Let’s dive into Jacksonville’s playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16.

Jaguars playoff berth clinching scenarios

Jacksonville has four different paths to locking up a playoff spot in Week 16, but they do not control their destiny. At least, not yet. The Jaguars will need a little help from around the league if they are to punch their ticket this weekend.

The most likely path? That involves a win over the Broncos, coupled with an Indianapolis Colts loss or tie against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

Jacksonville can also clinch a playoff spot with a win over Denver, and a Houston Texans loss or tie against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Houston is a heavy favorite in that game.

The Jaguars also have two ways they can clinch a playoff spot with a tie against the Broncos. In the first, a tie against Denver coupled with a Colts loss to the 49ers gets the Jaguars into the postseason.

In the second, a Jaguars tie paired with a Colts tie and a Houston loss clinches a playoff spot for Jacksonville.

It is important to note that the Jaguars cannot clinch the AFC South this week, as the Texans are just a game behind in the division at 9-5.

AFC standings entering Week 16

Here is the full AFC picture entering Week 16:

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

x - Team has clinched a playoff spote - Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

AFC South standings entering Week 16

Here are the AFC South standings entering Week 16:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
2. Houston Texans (9-5)
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
4. Tennessee Titans (2-12) - e

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