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AFC South playoff scenarios: What needs to happen in Week 17?

Tennessee Titans v Indianapolis Colts Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been out of the playoff race for quite some time, but the rest of the AFC South is coming down to the wire — and the Jaguars will play a big part in playoff seeding and who wins the division.

Who needs to win and who is out of the playoffs with a loss on Sunday? Let’s find out!

Houston Texans (10-5)

The Texans have already clinched a playoff spot, but they could still lose the division and be as low as the No. 6 seed if they lose.

No. 1 AFC seed: The only way this happens is if the Texans win, Chiefs lose, Chargers lose, Patriots lose, and the Texans get the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Chiefs.

No. 2 AFC seed: There are a lot of ways this happens.

  • Texans beat the Jaguars and Patriots lose or tie.
  • Texans beat the Jaguars, Chiefs lose, Chargers lose, and the Texans get the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Chiefs.
  • Texans tie the Jaguars and the Patriots lose.
  • Texans lose to the Jaguars, Titans vs. Colts ends in a tie, Patriots lose, Ravens win, and Houston wins strength of victory over the Ravens.

No. 3 AFC seed: Texans beat the Jaguars or if they lose and Titans vs. Colts ends in a tie.

No. 6 AFC seed: Texans beat the Jaguars and Colts vs. Titans doesn’t end in a tie.

Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

The Colts haven’t clinched a playoff spot and need to beat the Titans on Sunday Night Football to even have a shot at the playoffs.

No. 3 AFC seed: Colts beat the Titans, Texans lose, Ravens lose, and Steelers win.

No. 4 AFC seed: Colts beat the Titans, Texans lose, and Ravens win.

No. 6 AFC seed: Colts beat the Titans and the Texans win.

Tennessee Titans (9-6)

Like the Colts, the Titans haven’t clinched a playoff spot yet and need to beat the Colts on Sunday Night Football to get into the playoffs.

No. 2 AFC seed: Titans beat the Colts, Texans lose, Patriots lose and Ravens lose or tie.

No. 3 AFC seed: Titans beat the Colts, Texans lose, Ravens lose, and Steelers win.

No. 4 AFC seed: Titans beat the Colts, Texans lose, and Ravens win.

No. 6 AFC seed: Titans beat the Colts and Texans win.

Thanks to CBS Sports, SB Nation, and Football Outsiders for helping to verify some of the scenarios.