1 Advantage Jaguars Hold Over Every Potential AFC Playoff Opponent

The Jacksonville Jaguars could wind up playing anybody in the first round of the playoffs. Thankfully, they shouldn't be afraid of anyone.

Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates with tight end Brenton Strange (85) after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Going into the last week of the 2025 NFL regular season, eight eligible playoff contenders remain in the AFC. Six teams have clinched their bids, including the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the finale, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off in a head-to-head to determine the winner of the AFC North and the final postseason ticket.

The Jags punched theirs back in Week 16, after the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. However, despite their impressive 12-4 record, Jacksonville can finish as any seed in the bracket outside of fourth, which is reserved for either the Ravens or the Steelers. That means the Jaguars have no idea who they'll be playing in the first round, and they might even have the week off.

Jaguars shouldn't be afraid of anyone

Dec 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) hits Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

1. Denver Broncos: quarterback

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already beaten the Denver Broncos this season, in a resounding 34-20 victory back in Week 16. In that game, Trevor Lawrence thoroughly outplayed Bo Nix. T-Law finished with 299 total yards, four touchdowns, no turnovers, and 64 percent completion. His counterpart had 363 yards, one score, one interception, and hit 60 percent of his passes. The Broncos probably have the deeper, more well-rounded roster, but the Jaguars will have the much more talented quarterback under center.

Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball under pressure from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images | Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

2. New England Patriots: star power

The New England Patriots have an MVP candidate, Drake Maye, at quarterback. Even giving them the edge at that position — which is debatable — the Jaguars have the advantage at practically every other spot on the depth chart. Both Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker would be the best EDGE on the Patriots' roster.

Travis Etienne Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, and Brenton Strange make for a much better supporting cast than Stefon Diggs, TreyVeyon Henderson, and Hunter Henry. Christian Gonzales is the top cornerback in the hypothetical matchup, but Jacksonville's secondary is deeper overall.

Sep 21, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts to evade a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

3. Houston Texans: offense

The Jaguars' offense has been on a torrid run down the stretch. They've averaged a scorching 31.9 points per game in their last nine. The Houston Texans can't say the same, at just 23.7 in the same span. That's including their 36 points against the Jags with Davis Mills and a 40-piece versus the lowly Arizona Cardinals. The Texans' defense is probably the best unit in the entire league this season, but their offense is extremely questionable.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun (23) tackles Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second quarter in an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

4. Los Angeles Chargers: pass rush

The Jaguars have already beaten the Los Angeles Chargers this season as well. They destroyed them, 35-6, in Week 11. In that game, Justin Herbert was pressured on 85 percent of his dropbacks, hit twice, sacked twice for 25 yards, and threw an interception. LA's offensive line has been absolutely ravaged by injuries, with their two star tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater out for the season. Herbert's done an admirable job navigating those tumultuous waters, but he couldn't do it the first time against Jacksonville.

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

5. Buffalo Bills: ground game

The Buffalo Bills have the best player in the entire playoff field in quarterback Josh Allen. Many are saying this is their year to win it all, with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow all potentially missing from the postseason. However, this is one of the weaker rosters they've fielded around Allen in the current era. Their most glaring issue is their run defense, which is allowing a league-high 5.3 yards per carry this season. Liam Coen and Travis Etienne Jr. should be able to exploit that.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), center, is called for intentional grounding as Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) pressures and Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79), left, defends during the first quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

6. Baltimore Ravens: health

The Baltimore Ravens have severely underwhelmed this season, and it's mostly due to injuries. They've had most of their defensive stars miss huge chunks of the campaign, if not the entire year, including Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Hamilton, and Marlon Humphrey. Lamar Jackson has been banged up all season and is listed as questionable for the finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he's hampered the way he has been and can't use his mobility, the Jaguars should be able to contain the Ravens' offense and exploit their underperforming defense.

Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) embraces Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) before a preseason game at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images | Travis Register-Imagn Images

7. Pittsburgh Steelers: everything

Credit to Head Coach Mike Tomlin for finding a way to compete for a playoff spot no matter what, but the Pittsburgh Steelers will be viewed as the weakest team in the postseason field if they make it, as they should be. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback they've had since Ben Roethlisberger, and that's not a good thing. He's slightly more capable than Philip Rivers at this point in his career, but that's not saying much. The offensive supporting cast is lackluster, and the defense is expensive, old, and vulnerable.

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