The NFL tends to flex games late in the season, giving ascending clubs the chance to shine on primetime TV. The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't have any of their game moved this year, though, and the same is true for the finale.
The NFL has announced that the Jags will face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, January 4 at 1:00 p.m. ET. This means that the game will go as previously scheduled. That said, there will be several reasons to tune in to this AFC South showdown.
The Jaguars have lots to play for vs. the Titans in the finale
One of the reasons this game wasn't flexed was that it wouldn't have big ramifications in the AFC South. After all, Tennessee is 3-10 and was already eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago. Having said that, it will have huge implications in the postseason seeding.
Following the win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Jaguars are 12-4 and hold the No. 3 seed in the AFC. The Denver Broncos have the top seed, and the New England Patriots have the No. 2.
If the Jags lose to Tennessee, they will end up with the No. 3 seed. If they win and either the Broncos or New England loses, they'll get the No. 2. But if Jacksonville beats the Titans and both Denver and the Patriots lose, they can clinch the top seed. This is a long-winded way to say that all three teams will have something to play for in the finale, so don't expect any of them to rest their starters and
Related: 3 winners (and 2 losers) from the Jags' win vs. the Colts in Week 17
The Jaguars are trending toward facing the Bills in the Wild Card round
Before Week 17, it looked like the Jaguars were going to face the rival Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. But based on how things unfolded, they now have a 58 percent chance of playing the Buffalo Bills, according to playoffstatus. Given that Jacksonville would still be the higher seed, the game would still be held at EverBank Stadium.
The Jags could still face off against Houston — something fans would love as they would have a shot at exacting revenge — but the odds have dropped to just 21 percent. The Los Angeles Chargers would be the third-most likely opponent at just 14 percent.
Ultimately, it won't matter who the Jaguars face in the Wild Card Round. As former NFL head coach Herm Edwards stated, they're well-equipped to make a deep playoff run. All they have to do is take care of business when they welcome the Titans at the bank in the finale.