The idea that the AFC South would be won by anyone but the Titans was viewed as ludicrous just a few weeks ago, but the Jaguars are working hard to change that.
Jacksonville has won three of its last four games, including thrilling victories over the Ravens and Cowboys. Sandwiched between those two wins was a victory over the Titans in Nashville that might prove to be the difference at the end of the season.
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Trevor Lawrence has led the charge, throwing 13 touchdowns and just one interception over his last five starts entering Week 16. The Jaguars' defense has had some forgettable moments lately, but coach Doug Pederson will take what he can get after his team started the season 2-6.
The Titans, meanwhile, have unraveled. Tennessee has lost four consecutive games, dropping from 7-3 to 7-7 and squandering a sizable division lead.
The Titans have scored more than 17 points in just two of their last eight games, and the defense hasn't been good enough to make up the difference. Now, the AFC South won't be determined until Week 17 at the earliest.
AFC South standings
The Titans still sit atop the AFC South with three weeks remaining, but both Tennessee and Jacksonville control their fate. That means a Week 18 matchup between the teams in Jacksonville may determine the division.
| Place | Team | W-L-T |
| 1 | Titans | 7-7 |
| 2 | Jaguars | 6-8 |
| 3 | Colts | 4-9-1 |
| 4 | Texans | 1-12-1 |
The Jaguars enter their "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Jets with a simple goal: If they win their final three games, they will host a playoff game.
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The same can be said for the Titans. Their advantage in the division also means they can afford a loss in their next two games.
While the Texans might not present much of a challenge for Tennessee this weekend, the Cowboys very much will in Week 17. But even if the Titans go 1-1 over their next two games while the Jaguars go 2-0, Tennessee can still win the AFC South with a win over Jacksonville on the final day of the regular season.
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If the Jaguars fall to the Jets on Thursday and the Titans defeat Houston, then Jacksonville would no longer be in control. In that scenario, the Jaguars would need a win over the Texans and a Tennessee loss to Dallas in Week 17 to make their Week 18 showdown a game that determines the division crown.
The Colts haven't been formally eliminated from AFC South contention, but it would take a miraculous series of events for that scenario to play out. A Jaguars win on Thursday would eliminate them.
