The Jaguars made one of the league’s biggest turnarounds in 2025 and they iced the cake with a division title on Sunday.
Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes in the first half and the Jaguars cruised to a 41-7 win over the Titans to sew up the AFC South. It’s their first division title since the 2022 season and it comes after a 4-13 campaign in 2024.
Doug Pederson was fired after the season came to an end and — after a false start that resulted in G.M. Trent Baalke being let go as well — Liam Coen was hired and his first season could not have gone much better. The Jaguars won their eighth straight game on Sunday and Lawrence has played some of the best football of his career during that run.
Lawrence was 22-of-30 for 255 yards before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter. He remained in the game long enough to get to 4,007 passing yards and finishes the regular season with a career-high 29 touchdown passes.
The Jaguars’ other points came on a Bhayshul Tuten touchdown run, an Antonio Johnson interception return and two Cam Little field goals. One of Little’s kicks was a 67-yarder and he now has the two longest field goals in NFL history after hitting a 68-yard kick earlier this year.
The Jaguars know they’ll be hosting a playoff game next weekend, but their final seed remains up in the air. If the Broncos and Patriots lose, the Jags will be the top seed in the conference. They’ll be the No. 2 seed if either team loses and the No. 3 seed if Denver and New England win their games.
Titans quarterback Cam Ward opened the day with a seven-yard touchdown run, but he suffered a right shoulder injury on the play and the first overall pick missed the rest of the game. Ward will have plenty of time to heal up with the season over and the Titans will turn their attention toward hiring a new coach that can help him and the Titans get where Lawrence and the Jaguars find themselves.
Patriots Clips
The Dolphins will finish the season without running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Both are inactive for Miami for today’s season finale against the Patriots.
Achane was doubtful with a shoulder injury, and Waddle was questionable with injured ribs.
Achane rushed for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 67 passes for 488 yards and four scores, numbers that should get him consideration for second-team All-Pro. Waddle had 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns.
The Dolphins’ other inactives are quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback Cam Miller, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf), linebacker Chop Robinson (concussion) and offensive lineman Austin Jackson (back/groin). Tagovailoa will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
The Patriots’ inactives are offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, offensive guard Caedan Wallace, quarterback Tommy DeVito, outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee), inside linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), nose tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot) and offensive guard Jared Wilson (concussion). DeVito will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
It’s the final day of the regular season, and the playoff field is almost set, as 12 teams have clinched playoff berths and the Seahawks have clinched the top seed in the NFC. But much else remains in flux. Here’s a list of the teams remaining in contention for each playoff seed, and how they can earn those seeds.
NFC
1. Seahawks. The Seahawks get the No. 1 seed, a first-round by and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs after beating the 49ers on Saturday night.
2. Bears or Eagles. If the Bears win or the Eagles lose, the Bears are the No. 2 seed. If the Bears lose and the Eagles win, the Eagles are the No. 2 seed.
3. Eagles or Bears. The team that doesn’t get the No. 2 seed gets the No. 3 seed. The Eagles are resting their starters and effectively conceding the No. 2 seed to the Bears and preparing to be the No. 3 seed.
4. Panthers or Buccaneers. If the Falcons win today, the Panthers win are the No. 4 seed. If the Falcons lose or tie today, the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed.
5. 49ers or Rams. If the Rams lose or tie today, the 49ers are the No. 5 seed. If the Rams win today, the Rams are the No. 5 seed.
6. Rams or 49ers. If the Rams lose or tie today, the Rams are the No. 6 seed. If the Rams win, the 49ers are the No. 6 seed.
7. Packers. The Packers are the No. 7 seed in the NFC and will open the playoffs on the road against the No. 2 seed, regardless of anything that happens in Week 18.
AFC
1. Broncos or Patriots or Jaguars. If the Broncos win or the Patriots and Jaguars both lose, the Broncos are the No. 1 seed.
If the Patriots win and the Broncos lose, the Patriots are the No. 1 seed.
If the Jaguars win and the Broncos and Patriots both lose, the Jaguars are the No. 1 seed.
2. Patriots or Broncos or Jaguars. If the Patriots and Broncos both win, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed. If the Patriots and Jaguars both lose, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed. If the Broncos win and the Jaguars lose, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed regardless of what the Patriots do.
If the Broncos lose, the Patriots win and the Jaguars lose, the Broncos are the No. 2 seed. If the Broncos lose, the Patriots lose and the Jaguars win, the Broncos are the No. 2 seed.
If the Jaguars win, the Broncos lose and the Patriots win, the Jaguars are the No. 2 seed. If the Jaguars win, the Broncos win and the Patriots lose, the Jaguars are the No. 2 seed.
3. Jaguars or Broncos or Patriots or Texans. If the Jaguars, Broncos and Patriots all win, or the Jaguars tie, thie Jaguars are the No. 3 seed. If the Jaguars and Texans both lose, the Jaguars are the No. 3 seed. If the Broncos win, the Patriots win and the Texans lose, the Jaguars are the No. 3 seed regardless of what the Jaguars do.
If the Broncos lose and Patriots and Jaguars both win, the Broncos are the No. 3 seed.
If the Patriots lose and the Jaguars win, the Patriots are the No. 3 seed.
If the Texans win and the Jaguars lose, the Texans are the No. 3 seed.
4. Steelers or Ravens. If the Steelers beat or tie the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Steelers are the No. 4 seed. If the Ravens win, the Ravens are the No. 4 seed.
5. Texans or Jaguars or Chargers or Bills. If the Texans and Jaguars both win, the Texans are the No. 5 seed. If the Texans, Chargers and Bills all lose, the Texans are the No. 5 seed. If the Jaguars win and the Chargers and Bills lose, the Texans are the No. 5 seed regardless of what the Texans do.
If the Jaguars lose, the Texans win and the Bills lose, the Jaguars are the No. 5 seed. (There are also scenarios that see the Jaguars as the 5 seed based on the strength of victory tiebreaker with the Chargers.)
If the Chargers win and the Texans lose, the Chargers are the No. 5 seed. If the Chargers win and the Jaguars lose, the Chargers could also get the No. 5 seed based on clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Jaguars.
If the Bills win, the Chargers lose and either the Texans or Jaguars lose, the Bills are the No. 5 seed.
6. Chargers or Jaguars or Texans or Bills. If the Chargers, Texans and Jaguars all win, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed. If the Chargers and Bills both lose, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed. If the Texans win and the Bills lose, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed regardless of what the Chargers do.
If the Jaguars and Chargers both lose, and the Texans and Bills both win, the Jaguars are the No. 6 seed.
If the Texans lose and either the Bills lose and Chargers win, or the Bills win and Chargers lose, the Texans are the No. 6 seed.
If the Bills win, the Chargers lose and the Texans and Jaguars both win, the Bills are the No. 6 seed. If the Bills win, the Chargers win and the Texans lose, the Bills are the No. 6 seed.
7. Bills or Jaguars or Texans or Chargers. If the Bills lose, the Bills are the No. 7 seed. If the Chargers, Texans and Jaguars all win, the Bills are the No. 7 seed regardless of what the Bills do.
If the Jaguars lose and the Texans, Chargers and Bills all win, the Jaguars can be the No. 7 seed if the Chargers clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Jaguars.
If the Texans lose and the Chargers and Bills both win, the Texans are the No. 7 seed.
If the Chargers lose and the Bills win, the Chargers are the No. 7 seed.
The Patriots have key members of their offensive and defensive line back on the active roster.
Left tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams were both activated from injured reserve on Saturday. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said at his Friday press conference that he expected both of those moves to happen ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
Campbell has missed the last four games with a knee injury. The first-round pick started the first 12 games of the season.
Williams spent five games on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. He had 27 tackles and 3.5 sacks in the first 11 weeks.
The Patriots waived defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms. They also elevated offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes and defensive lineman Leonard Taylor from the practice squad.
The Dolphins may be without a couple of their best offensive players for their final game of the regular season.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has been listed as questionable to face the Patriots. He missed Wednesday’s practice with injured ribs, but was able to return for limited sessions on Thursday and Friday.
Running back De’Von Achane is unlikelier to play. He missed practice all week with a shoulder injury and has been listed as doubtful.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) is the only player who has been ruled out. Linebacker Quinton Bell (illness), center Aaron Brewer (neck), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), right tackle Austin Jackson (back, groin), edge rusher Chop Robinson (concussion), and kicker Jason Sanders (right hip) join Waddle as questionable.
News that Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive tackle Christian Barmore are facing criminal charges surfaced this week, and both players spoke to the media at the team’s facility for the first time since they came to light on Friday.
Diggs is accused of of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery related to an incident early last month. On Friday, Diggs said he’s unable to comment on an ongoing matter.
“Dealing with the everything — it’s definitely an open case so I can’t even say anything about it,” Diggs said, via Mark Daniels of MassLive.com.
Barmore is set to be arraigned in early February for a charge of assault and battery on a family/household member. He limited his answers to Week 18 when asked about the allegations against him.
“I’m focused on Miami. Just play football,” Barmore said.
The NFL said earlier this week that both players remain eligible to play while their cases are under review.
The Dolphins have made a roster move that will end the season of one of their key offensive players.
Miami has placed tight end Darren Waller on injured reserve, the team announced.
Waller has been sidelined this week by a groin injury. After coming out of retirement to play for the Dolphins over the summer, Waller’s 2025 will end with him having caught 24 passes for 283 yards. He’s currently tied with Jaylen Waddle for the team lead with six touchdown catches.
As a corresponding move, the Dolphins have signed running back Donovan Edwards to the 53-man roster off of Washington’s practice squad.
Edwards’ signing may be depth insurance for running back De’Von Achane, who has not practiced this week with a shoulder injury. During his Friday press conference, head coach Mike McDaniel did not formally rule Achane out, but noted that players who aren’t available for practice all week typically do not play.
If it’s the end of Achane’s season, he led the Dolphins with 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the league with 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught 67 passes for 488 yards with four TDs.
Additionally, the club has released cornerback Clarence Lewis from the practice squad.
Miami’s full injury report with game statuses will be released later on Friday.
With one week remaining in the regular season, the playoff field is almost set, as 12 teams have clinched playoff berths. But the playoff seeds remain in flux. Here’s a list of the teams remaining in contention for each playoff seed, and how they can earn those seeds.
NFC
1. Seahawks or 49ers. The winner of Saturday night’s Seahawks-49ers game in San Francisco will determine who gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the teams tie, the Seahawks will be the No. 1 seed.
2. Bears or Eagles. If the Bears win or the Eagles lose, the Bears are the No. 2 seed. If the Bears lose and the Eagles win, the Eagles are the No. 2 seed.
3. Eagles or Bears. The team that doesn’t get the No. 2 seed gets the No. 3 seed. The Eagles are resting their starters and effectively conceding the No. 2 seed to the Bears and preparing to be the No. 3 seed.
4. Panthers or Buccaneers. If the Panthers beat or tie the Buccaneers on Saturday, the Panthers are the No. 4 seed. If the Panthers lose but the Falcons win on Sunday, the Panthers are also the No. 4 seed. If the Buccaneers win and the Falcons lose or tie, the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed.
5. 49ers or Seahawks or Rams. If the Seahawks lose on Saturday, they are the No. 5 seed. If the 49ers lose on Saturday and the Rams lose on Sunday, the 49ers are the No. 5 seed. If the 49ers lose on Saturday and the Rams win on Sunday, the Rams are the No. 5 seed.
6. Rams or 49ers. If the Rams lose or the 49ers win, the Rams are the No. 6 seed. If the 49ers lose and the Rams win, the 49ers are the No. 6 seed.
7. Packers. The Packers are the only team that has clinched its playoff seed. The Packers are the No. 7 seed in the NFC regardless of anything that happens in Week 18.
AFC
1. Broncos or Patriots or Jaguars. If the Broncos win or the Patriots and Jaguars both lose, the Broncos are the No. 1 seed.
If the Patriots win and the Broncos lose, the Patriots are the No. 1 seed.
If the Jaguars win and the Broncos and Patriots both lose, the Jaguars are the No. 1 seed.
2. Patriots or Broncos or Jaguars. If the Patriots and Broncos both win, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed. If the Patriots and Jaguars both lose, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed. If the Broncos win and the Jaguars lose, the Patriots are the No. 2 seed regardless of what the Patriots do.
If the Broncos lose, the Patriots win and the Jaguars lose, the Broncos are the No. 2 seed. If the Broncos lose, the Patriots lose and the Jaguars win, the Broncos are the No. 2 seed.
If the Jaguars win, the Broncos lose and the Patriots win, the Jaguars are the No. 2 seed. If the Jaguars win, the Broncos win and the Patriots lose, the Jaguars are the No. 2 seed.
3. Jaguars or Broncos or Patriots or Texans. If the Jaguars, Broncos and Patriots all win, or the Jaguars tie, thie Jaguars are the No. 3 seed. If the Jaguars and Texans both lose, the Jaguars are the No. 3 seed. If the Broncos win, the Patriots win and the Texans lose, the Jaguars are the No. 3 seed regardless of what the Jaguars do.
If the Broncos lose and Patriots and Jaguars both win, the Broncos are the No. 3 seed.
If the Patriots lose and the Jaguars win, the Patriots are the No. 3 seed.
If the Texans win and the Jaguars lose, the Texans are the No. 3 seed.
4. Steelers or Ravens. If the Steelers beat or tie the Ravens on Sunday night, the Steelers are the No. 4 seed. If the Ravens win, the Ravens are the No. 4 seed.
5. Texans or Jaguars or Chargers or Bills. If the Texans and Jaguars both win, the Texans are the No. 5 seed. If the Texans, Chargers and Bills all lose, the Texans are the No. 5 seed. If the Jaguars win and the Chargers and Bills lose, the Texans are the No. 5 seed regardless of what the Texans do.
If the Jaguars lose, the Texans win and the Bills lose, the Jaguars are the No. 5 seed. (There are also scenarios that see the Jaguars as the 5 seed based on the strength of victory tiebreaker with the Chargers.)
If the Chargers win and the Texans lose, the Chargers are the No. 5 seed. If the Chargers win and the Jaguars lose, the Chargers could also get the No. 5 seed based on clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Jaguars.
If the Bills win, the Chargers lose and either the Texans or Jaguars lose, the Bills are the No. 5 seed.
6. Chargers or Jaguars or Texans or Bills. If the Chargers, Texans and Jaguars all win, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed. If the Chargers and Bills both lose, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed. If the Texans win and the Bills lose, the Chargers are the No. 6 seed regardless of what the Chargers do.
If the Jaguars and Chargers both lose, and the Texans and Bills both win, the Jaguars are the No. 6 seed.
If the Texans lose and either the Bills lose and Chargers win, or the Bills win and Chargers lose, the Texans are the No. 6 seed.
If the Bills win, the Chargers lose and the Texans and Jaguars both win, the Bills are the No. 6 seed. If the Bills win, the Chargers win and the Texans lose, the Bills are the No. 6 seed.
7. Bills or Jaguars or Texans or Chargers. If the Bills lose, the Bills are the No. 7 seed. If the Chargers, Texans and Jaguars all win, the Bills are the No. 7 seed regardless of what the Bills do.
If the Jaguars lose and the Texans, Chargers and Bills all win, the Jaguars can be the No. 7 seed if the Chargers clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Jaguars.
If the Texans lose and the Chargers and Bills both win, the Texans are the No. 7 seed.
If the Chargers lose and the Bills win, the Chargers are the No. 7 seed.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is making progress in his return to the Patriots lineup.
Boutte missed last Sunday’s game with a concussion, but he was able to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday. Boutte still needs to clear the concussion protocol in order to play in Week 18 and Thursday will bring word if he takes another step toward that goal.
Left tackle Will Campbell (knee) was a full participant in his first practice since being designated for return from injured reserve.
Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (illness) was out of practice along with tight end Hunter Henry (knee), edge rusher Harold Landry (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot), fullback Jack Westover (ankle), and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion). Cornerback Alex Austin (wrist), edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson (illness), right tackle Morgan Moses (rest), tackle Thayer Munford (illness), and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) were all limited participants.
The last two days have brought word that two Patriots players are facing assault charges, but head coach Mike Vrabel is not worried that either issue will be a distraction that interferes with the team’s football business.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs faces charges felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery while defensive tackle Christian Barmore will be arraigned on February 3 for misdemeanor assault and battery on a family/household member. At a Wednesday press conference, Vrabel stressed that they are just allegations while saying he’s confident the team will be able to keep its attention on the task at hand.
“I would say not disappointing at all,” Vrabel said. “These are allegations, like you mentioned in your question. It’s things that we have to handle and every day there’s distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins, and those two individuals that you mentioned will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.”
The NFL said Wednesday that both Diggs and Barmore are eligible to play while the league reviews the cases.
