The 2022 NFL season has had its share of surprises, but this is a storyline few saw coming just a few weeks ago: The Jaguars are suddenly a legitimate playoff contender.Despite Harmon Killebrew Jersey starting 2-6, Jacksonville is not only in the conversation but controls its fate in the AFC South. Part of the reason is the Titans' rapid collapse, but another part is how quickly Trevor Lawrence has progre sed under first-year coach Doug Pederson.Even if the defense is undermanned, Pederson has his team believing it can make an unexpected run just like this franchise did five Minnesota Twins Jersey years ago. A win over the Jets on Thursday night only strengthened its position.MORE:Here's now the Jaguars can win the AFC South and snap their playoff drought.The Jaguars are currently just 7-8, but they lead the AFC South due to their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Titans.Jacksonville controlled its own fate even before ascending to the top of the division on Sunday. In fact, the Jaguars don't need a win over the Texans in Week 17 to get into the playoffs. The AFC South will come down to Week 18 regardle s of that result.MORE:The Jaguars eliminated the Colts from AFC Willians Astudillo Jersey South contention with Thursday's win, so the division is down to last year's AFC No. 1 seed (Tenne see) and No. 16 seed (Jacksonville).The Jaguars temporarily hold the divisional tiebreaker over the Titans as a result of their Week 14 win at Tenne see, but the tiebreaker will be determined by their Week 18 matchup in Jacksonville.If the Jaguars win in Week 18, they will win the season series and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. If the Jaguars lose in Kirby Puckett Jersey Week 18, the Titans will have the tiebreaker thanks to a better divisional record.MORE:The Jaguars face the one-win Texans in Week 17 before the all-or-nothing matchup with the Titans in Week 18.The Week 18 matchup will be as a win-and-in game for both sides. After the Titans' lo s to the Texans on Sunday, there is no scenario in which either team can clinch the division in Week 17.MORE:The Jaguars can win the AFC South by winning against the Titans at home in Week 18. That means Jacksonville has a wide-open path to the playoffs, particularly because their matchup with the Nelson Cruz Jersey Texans in Week 17 no longer affects the standings.The Titans , so the Jaguars likely have the advantage now that their path is the same as Tenne see's.