The Jacksonville Jaguars’ season was considered a success in the eyes of fans and pundits long ago, but the team itself doesn’t seem to be satisfied yet.
The Jaguars entered Week 18 on a seven-game win streak, with their only loss since their bye being a game they led by 19 against the Houston Texans. Despite receiving less attention than other teams with 12 or more wins, Jacksonville is hoping to steal the spotlight in the playoffs.
First, the Jaguars had to take care of business in Week 18, given how the Texans have kept the pressure on late in the season. Jacksonville was up for the task and crushed the Tennessee Titans 41-7.
Here’s a look at the Jaguars’ playoff outlook following their Week 18 win and where Jacksonville lands in the bracket.
LIVE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
NFL playoff bracket 2026
Jaguars playoff picture
The Jaguars are the No. 3 seed following their win over the Titans in Week 18. With this win they have clinched the AFC South.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos* | 14-3 |
| 2 | New England Patriots* | 14-3 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars* | 13-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 |
| 5 | Houston Texans* | 12-5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers* | 11-6 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills* | 12-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts – eliminated | 8-9 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins – eliminated | 7-10 |
| 11 | Cincinnati Bengals – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns – eliminated | 5-12 |
| 14 | Las Vegas Raiders – eliminated | 3-14 |
| 15 | New York Jets – eliminated | 3-14 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans – eliminated | 3-14 |
*=clinched playoff spot
The Jaguars took care of what they could control and won their game in Week 18. With the Patriots and Broncos both winning their Week 18 matchup, the Jaguars will be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
AFC South standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Jaguars | 13-4 |
| 2 | Texans | 12-5 |
| 3 | Colts | 8-9 |
| 4 | Titans | 3-14 |
The Jaguars clinched the AFC South with their win over the Titans in Week 18. Despite the Texans making a run for it, Jacksonville was able to hold them off.
How the Jaguars celebrated after:
🏈Posting the most wins by an AFC South Champion since Peyton Manning’s Colts went 14-2 in 2009.
🏈Ending the season on an 8-game winning streak, winning those games by an average of 19.1 points per game.
📹 @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/1XZEk3J3nY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2026
Jaguars clinching scenarios
The Jaguars’ path to clinching the AFC South was straightforward entering Week 18: either a win over the Tennessee Titans or a Texans loss to the Indianapolis Colts would get the job done.
Jacksonville took matters into their own hands and won their matchup to clinch the AFC South.
With the Jags winning, and the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots also winning, Jacksonville is locked in as the No. 3 seed.
