The Jacksonville Jaguars are turning heads with a 3-1 start, but the real story might be where they could end up playing in January: a stadium with room for only 42,000 fans.
Sunday's win over the Bengals pushed Jacksonville to 3-1, with victories over the Browns, Patriots, and Bengals—all teams that were 2-1 or better at the time. Their only loss came in a tight game against Denver. Now, NBC Sports' Mike Florio sees a clear path to the AFC's top seed.
"At 3-1 through four games and with wins over the otherwise 3-0 Browns, the 2-1 Patriots, and 2-1 Bengals, the Jaguars are in position to eventually secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC," Florio wrote. "They still have six games in the division, where the Colts, Texans, and Titans are a combined 2-10."
The schedule ahead looks manageable. Two games in London against the banged-up Eagles and the disappointing Texans, plus a few tough road tests at Baltimore, Chicago, and Dallas. But most of the remaining slate is winnable, especially with this team's current form.
Of course, the Chiefs are undefeated at 4-0, but they have to navigate the rugged AFC West. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are playing in a division that's been a punching bag so far.
The Stadium Catch
Here's the twist: Jacksonville's stadium is undergoing major renovations. The team is still playing there, but capacity is reduced. If they secure home-field advantage, the AFC Championship Game—and possibly a divisional round game—could be played in front of just 42,000 fans.
Florio notes that's not exactly ideal for ticket revenue or crowd noise, but he adds, "it's still far better for the Jaguars than playing in Buffalo or Kansas City or Baltimore or Cleveland or wherever."
For a team that's been starving for a deep playoff run, a smaller crowd might be a small price to pay. And if it comes to that, the Jaguars could try to open up more seats before the big game.
This situation echoes other stadium quirks across the league, like the empty seats at Rutgers' SHI Stadium raising questions about fan engagement, or the Bills twins going viral for their stadium antics. But for Jacksonville, it's about making the most of a home-field edge, even if it's a cozy one.
With the Chiefs lurking and the Ravens, Bills, and Bengals all in the mix, the road to the Super Bowl is never easy. But if the Jaguars keep winning, they might just host the biggest game in franchise history in front of a surprisingly intimate crowd.
