Jacksonville Jaguars: Playoffs clinched, but more goals still in sight in final two weeks
By Billy Long
The Jacksonville Jaguars punched a ticket to the postseason, but other goals are within reach in the final two weeks of the regular season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing a level of football right now that could compete with any team in the league. The Jaguars secured a spot in the playoffs Sunday in emphatic fashion, with a dismantling of the Houston Texans 45-7. It is the first playoff season for Jacksonville since 2007.
The team knew what was at stake and handled business accordingly. That mentality needs to continue in the final two weeks of the season, even with the playoffs clinched.
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The reason to keep focus, aside from just continuing to keep an edge and have momentum, is that other feats are still in reach. Now is not the time for the Jaguars to feel secure with where they currently stand.
Jacksonville has another win-and-clinch opportunity this Sunday. The team the Jaguars face this week is the reason the door is opened for the clinching possibility in week 16. The San Francisco 49ers did Jacksonville a huge favor by stealing a win against the Tennessee Titans on a game-winning field goal in week 15. Now the Niners can aid the Jaguars even more this Sunday.
For Jacksonville, it’s another clear objective. Take down San Francisco on the road, and win the team’s first ever AFC South title, and first overall division crown since 1999. The division crown would guarantee the Jaguars would get at least one home playoff game, which would also be a first since 1999.
However, Jacksonville may already clinch the division before they even kick off the game. The Titans battle the Los Angeles Rams at home on Sunday. The game is at 1:00, and if the Rams win, the Jaguars win the AFC South regardless of the result of the game against the Niners.
But another goal is attainable for the team as well as the season winds down. It takes outside help, and substantial help at that. The Jaguars are still in play for a top two seed, and first-round bye in the AFC. But Jacksonville needs either Pittsburgh or New England to drop at least one of their remaining two games, and to take care of the 49ers and Titans on their own end. Finishing with the same record as one or both of the teams would push the Jaguars into the top two.
With very minimal expectations placed on the Jacksonville Jaguars again at the beginning of the season, clinching a playoff berth is a significant accomplishment, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. But with two weeks to go in the regular season, the Jaguars have an opportunity to reach even higher peaks in 2017.