Jaguars playoff picture: How Week 17 vs. Colts impacts AFC standings

The regular season is nearing its end and every game matters for the Jacksonville Jaguars right now.

Heading into Week 17 vs. the Colts, with the Texans on Jacksonville’s heels after Houston punched their ticket to the postseason thanks to a win over the Chargers on Saturday, the Jags have to win to hold onto the AFC South lead.

The Colts currently hold a five-game losing streak, which led to their playoff elimination after a very hot start, but they’ve shown a little more fight in their losses since signing 44-year-old grandfather Philip Rivers to take over at quarterback. The Jags have the Titans, one of the worst teams in the league in Week 18 — another winnable game, but as you know, it’s any given Sunday in the NFL, especially when it comes to division rivals.

Here’s where everything stands heading into Sunday’s games, including the Jags’ matchup with the Colts.

Updated AFC South standings

1. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4
2. Houston Texans 11-5
3. Indianapolis Colts 8-7
4. Tennessee Titans 3-12

Updated AFC playoff picture

1. Denver Broncos 13-3 (clinched playoff berth)
2. New England Patriots 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-6
5. Buffalo Bills 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)
6. Houston Texans 11-5 (clinched playoff berth)
7. Los Angeles Chargers 11-5 (clinched playoff berth)
8. Indianapolis Colts (eliminated)
9. Baltimore Ravens 7-8

Eliminated from AFC playoff contention

• Indianapolis Colts
• Miami Dolphins
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Cincinnati Bengals
• New York Jets
• Cleveland Browns
• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders