NFL Playoffs: 5 reasons Jacksonville Jaguars will make it
By John Buhler
3. Can Still Win the AFC South or Make the Wild Card
Jacksonville benefits from playing in a division without a juggernaut and in the AFC that has only three Super Bowl contending teams. This year, the Indianapolis Colts aren’t that and the fourth seed is still wide open. The winner of the AFC South won’t catch the Cincinnati Bengals, the Denver Broncos, or the New England Patriots for a top three seed in the AFC Playoffs.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are only two games back of both the AFC South lead and either AFC Wild Card spots. The Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans are 6-5 in the AFC South.
The New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Kansas City Chiefs will likely have to make either of the two AFC Wild Card spots, as they are all three games back of their respective division leader.
It’s not great, but the probability of getting one of three potential AFC Playoff Spots (AFC South and both Wild Cards) is certainly better than what New York, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and even the Oakland Raiders or the Buffalo Bills will have currently on the table. Still having a shot a winning the AFC South gives Jacksonville another sliver of hope that the other AFC playoff contenders don’t have.
Next: 4. Blake Bortles to Julius Thomas