JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a defining moment of the 2025 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, long considered a small-market franchise by the big boys, clinched a playoff berth following a significant 34-20 road victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Week 16. The win, Jacksonville’s sixth in a row, not only elevated the Jaguars to an 11-4 record but also officially secured their place in the 2025 postseason after the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night confirmed their position in the AFC field. Many had thought the season would be a lost cause after Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter’s season ending injury but quarterback Trevor Lawrence is truly earning his salt.
A Statement Win Against a Top Seed
The Broncos entered Week 16 with a 12-3 record and the best winning streak in the NFL, riding an 11-game run that had made them favorites to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Jacksonville’s victory ended that streak emphatically and showcased the Jaguars as more than just a fringe postseason participant. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was a standout, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a rushing score as Jacksonville controlled the game through the second half.
Beyond snapping Denver’s momentum, the Jaguars’ win has important seeding ramifications: Jacksonville now holds a tiebreaker edge over the Broncos in the race for higher playoff positioning, and though they do not yet control their fate for the No. 1 seed, they remain in contention with two games left in the regular season. Jacksonville Jaguars+1
Historical Context for the Franchise
This playoff appearance marks the ninth postseason berth in Jaguars history and their first since capturing the AFC South title in 2022. It also represents their first double-digit win season since 2017, reflecting substantial progress from earlier rebuilding years.
Since entering the NFL as an expansion team in 1995, the Jaguars have experienced intermittent success, including memorable playoff runs in the late 1990s. One of the franchise’s earliest defining moments also came against Denver: in the 1996 playoffs, a young Jacksonville squad upset the top-seeded Broncos in the Divisional Round, a victory that helped propel the Jaguars to their first AFC Championship Game.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond standings. Media narratives earlier in the season had framed Jacksonville as a “small-market” team with limited expectations—a label that was publicly referenced by opposing coaches. The Jaguars have used that characterization as motivation, turning perceived underdog status into on-field results.
With the playoffs secured and momentum on their side, the Jaguars are poised for what could be one of the most impactful runs in recent franchise history. The team’s development, both strategically and culturally, suggests that this postseason appearance may be more than just another entry—it could be the start of sustained competitiveness in the AFC.