49ers help move Jaguars closer to division title in Week 15

The San Francisco 49ers win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday has helped create a bit of a jumbled mess in the AFC wild card picture. For the 49ers Week 16 opponent, it has pushed them to the brink of a division title. The Jacksonville Jaguars clinched a playoff berth with their 45-7 win over the Houston Texans, and the Titans loss gives the Jaguars a two-game lead with two games left.

The 49ers hurt the Titans cause, but they can come back and help them this coming week. The Titans host the Rams while the 49ers host the Jaguars. If the Titans and 49ers win, Tennessee will host Jacksonville with the winner taking home the AFC South division title.

For now, the Titans loss drops them 8-6, and tied with the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card race. The Titans hold the conference record tiebreaker over the Bills and Ravens, so they are currently the top wild card team. The Bills hold the strength of schedule tiebreaker over the Ravens, and thus hold the second wild card team. Here’s what the AFC playoff picture looks like after Week 15.

1. New England Patriots (11-3)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)

5. Tennessee Titans (8-6)
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6)

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-6), Los Angeles Chargers (7-7), Oakland Raiders (6-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8)

On the NFC side, the top five teams all won on Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams made a statement, going into Seattle and crushing the Seahawks 42-7. They are tied with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers at 10-4. The Saints swept the Panthers this season, and thus hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. If the Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tonight on Monday Night Football, the Falcons will be 9-5, and a game back of the Saints and Panthers. Atlanta travels to face Carolina in Week 17.

For now, the Philadelphia Eagles win over the New York Giants means they clinch home field with a win in Week 16, or a Minnesota Vikings loss to the Green Bay Packers. Here’s what the AFC playoff picture looks like heading into Week 15 MNF.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
2. Minnesota Vikings (11-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-4)
4. New Orleans Saints (10-4)

5. Carolina Panthers (10-4)
6. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Dallas Cowboys (8-6), Green Bay Packers (7-7)