The AFC’s NFL playoff picture became much clearer after Week 16. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who had been on the outside looking in, moved into the playoff field with a win over the Houston Texans, while the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East divisional title and their first playoff berth since 1999. These developments have significant implications for the remaining teams in the AFC and what they need to do to make it to the postseason. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Week 16’s NFL playoff picture means for the Jaguars, Bills, and the rest of the AFC.
The Jaguars are in the playoffs
The Jacksonville Jaguars have secured a playoff spot after defeating the Houston Texans in Week 16. This win moved them into the 7th seed in the AFC and into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
With their victory, the Jaguars not only earned a trip to the postseason but also eliminated the Buffalo Bills from the running for the AFC East title.
The Jaguars have been hot this season with a 9-4 record, having won four of their last five games. The strong play of quarterback Gardner Minshew and a solid defense have been integral to the team’s success.
Now, they will have a chance to prove themselves against some of the best teams in the NFL.
It will be an uphill battle for them, as they face off against division rivals like the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts down the stretch.
The Jaguars are definitely a team to watch as they head into the playoffs. They have the potential to make some noise in the postseason and could be a major force in the AFC.
The Bills are in the playoffs
The Buffalo Bills have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1999, winning the AFC East after defeating the Dolphins in Week 16. The Bills were able to secure their spot in the playoffs despite having the second-hardest strength of schedule in the NFL.
It has been a historic season for the Bills, as they have gone 9-7 on the year and won the division in a very competitive AFC East. This marks the Bills first playoff appearance since 1999, when they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card Round.
The Bills are led by rookie quarterback Josh Allen, who has had a breakout year. He’s passed for 3,202 yards and 20 touchdowns so far this year. He’s also picked up an additional 510 yards on the ground, to go along with his five rushing touchdowns.
This team is not just led by Allen, however; they have a defense that has allowed them to stay in games and win close ones. The Bills defense ranks 7th in the league in points allowed and 5th in sacks with 44.
The Bills have finally made it back to the postseason and will look to make a run at a championship. It has been an incredible turnaround for this team, and it will be exciting to watch them compete come January.
The rest of the AFC playoff picture
With the Buffalo Bills clinching the AFC East title, the playoff picture for the rest of the AFC is becoming more clear. The New England Patriots are likely to remain as the No. 2 seed, while the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars look set to round out the top six.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who were in first place for much of the season, now find themselves on the outside looking in after losing a key Week 16 matchup against Seattle. That leaves the door open for Baltimore and Los Angeles Chargers to fight for the last playoff spot.
Both teams have tough matchups in Week 17, so it remains to be seen who will make it into the playoffs. If the Ravens can come away with a victory over Cincinnati, they’ll be in great shape. Similarly, if the Chargers can beat the Oakland Raiders, they’ll be in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills have already secured their place in the playoffs, and look set to take on either the Patriots or Steelers in the Wild Card round.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a team that missed out on the postseason last year, and could provide an interesting test for either of these powerhouse franchises.
In short, Week 16 has changed up the AFC playoff picture significantly, and there are still plenty of questions left to answer in Week 17. It promises to be an exciting final week of regular-season football!
What Week 16’s results mean for the Jaguars and Bills
The Jaguars’ Week 16 victory over the Texans saw them jump into the playoff picture, taking the sixth and final AFC spot in the process. This means the Jaguars will compete for their first playoff appearance since 2007.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills sealed their first division title since 1995, clinching the AFC East championship with a Week 16 win over the Dolphins.
This is the first time the Bills have won a division title in over 20 years, and they can now look forward to competing in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
The Jaguars and Bills have both achieved a great feat by making the playoffs, and now both teams will look to make the most of their opportunities in the post-season.
The Jaguars are hoping to build on their momentum and make a deep run in the playoffs, while the Bills are looking to prove that their late-season surge was no fluke. Either way, it should be an exciting end to the season for both teams.