Jaguars playoff picture: What Week 16 vs. Broncos means for AFC standings

The Jaguars faced off against the top team in the AFC, the Broncos, on Sunday in Denver. Jacksonville entered the week sitting at the top of the AFC South … but we did see some shakeups in the AFC playoff picture in Week 16 — and there may be more to come, including the Jaguars clinching the division.

The Broncos were also in position to clinch the AFC West with a win over the Jags, and a Chargers loss to the Cowboys, who were eliminated from NFC playoff contention with the Eagles’ win over the Commanders on Saturday and did lose to the Chargers on Sunday. Jacksonville played spoiler in an incredible road upset, blocking the Broncos’ path to the No. 1 seed in the AFC for now at least. The Broncos’ top-seed clinching scenario included the aforementioned Chargers loss that didn’t happen, plus a Patriots loss to the Ravens on Sunday Night Football (which seems possible at least) and a Bills loss to the Browns (which did not happen).

The Jaguars had two potential paths on Sunday to clinch the AFC South: A Texans loss to the Raiders (the Raiders kept it close, but ultimately added a ninth game to their losing streak) OR a Colts loss to the 49ers on Monday Night Football will solidify the Jags as the division winner. So we’ll see what happens when the Colts take on the 49ers on Monday.

Here’s where things stand after the Jaguars’ massive win in Denver and the rest of the late afternoon slate of games. .

AFC South standings

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

Updated AFC playoff picture

1. Denver Broncos 12-2 (clinched playoff berth)
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 8-5
9. Baltimore Ravens 7-7

Eliminated from AFC playoff contention

• Miami Dolphins
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Cincinnati Bengals
• New York Jets
• Cleveland Browns
• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders