The Jacksonville Jaguars are almost certainly headed for the playoffs, even if they don't do the expected and win the AFC South. While technically speaking, they haven't clinched anything yet, it would take a lot to force them out of a wild-card spot.
Jacksonville will be taking on the Denver Broncos in Week 16, and it could potentially be a huge opportunity for the typically underestimated Jaguars. Not only would it cement their status as AFC South champions, but it could catapult the Jaguars from the No. 3 seed to the No. 1 seed.
Even more importantly, it would send a clear message to everyone else headed for the playoffs: count the Jagss out at your own risk. Jacksonville has had its issues, including this season, but the Jaguars are on a hot streak right now, which bodes well. And some analysts are sending a warning shot to everyone who might already be looking at Jacksonville as easy prey.
Rich Eisen’s take on the Jaguars is exactly what fans have been waiting to hear
In a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, host Rich Eisen spoke about the Jaguars and recent comments from head coach Liam Coen about the Jaguars and how little respect they get from the rest of the league. Rather than letting that discourage them, however, the Jaguars use that to fuel them.
Between Coen giving Jacksonville a grittier, tougher persona and quarterback Trevor Lawrence being on fire the past few weeks, Eisen argued that Jacksonville is looking good — and even in the playoffs, other teams should be worried, especially if they beat the Broncos in Denver.
"The Jaguars have a shot at the one seed," he said. "They win that one. They got a shot at the one seed because if the Chargers — I just laid out for how the Chargers could be the one seed — if the Chargers wound up having the same record as the Broncos, they might win the division, but guess who would maybe have the same record as the Chargers? A team that beat the crap out ofthem. The Jaguars have a shot at the one seed if they win this game in Denver. 100%. So how's that for respect?"
Technically speaking, the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts could still come back and win the AFC South. But it seems unlikely; both the Texans and the Colts have tougher schedules ahead of them than the Jaguars do. The only tough opponent the Jaguars have left is the Broncos, so the AFC South seems like a lock.
And with the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, no one will be able to deny that the Jaguars deserve to be there. Not only will they win the division title, but they could well be heading to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Like Eisen said: how's that for respect?