Battle Red Blog
The Houston Texans have six more games to cement their legacy as the seventh team ever to make the playoffs after going 0-3… the last team being the 2018 Houston Texans. According to CBS Sports, “since the NFL schedule was expanded to 17 games in 2021, NO team has lost their first three games and rebounded to make the postseason.”
The AFC is fairly clear-cut this year. 10 teams vying for seven spots. Currently, Houston sits on the outside-looking-in along with Kansas City and the Pittsburgh Steelers. This season has featured several surprising AFC teams including the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.
Houston is not out of the playoffs yet and still control their own destiny. To track their progress toward the playoffs, I will be providing a weekly update tracking the Texans progress to the playoffs throughout the remaining season.
HIGH. If Houston can muster a win in Indianapolis and serve the Colts their first losing streak of the season, they’ll be just one game out of the AFC South division lead. Having a strong in-division record will be vital to their playoff chances. A Colts loss also means they’re still a viable option to get knocked out of the playoffs entirely.
Houston winning would increase their chances to make the playoffs from 53% to 70% according to the Athletic. However, a loss would decrease their changes to 38%.
Buffalo Bills at Pittsburg Steelers (Sunday, 4:25 EST)
The Bills (7-4) hold the last seed in the AFC and the Steelers (6-5) are the first team out. It’s a scenario where both teams need to lose for Houston, but only one will. Houston may want the Bills to win as the Texans will have the head-to-head tie breaker over Buffalo. However, knocking the Bills down to 7-5 opens up the last spot in the playoffs. The Steelers have lost four of the last six and are sinking against a tough schedule.
Texans fans should be rooting for the Steelers.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 EST)
The Chiefs (6-5) win last Sunday brought the Colts back into arms distance with the Texans, but they’re still out of the playoffs. Houston desperately needs the Cowboys to create separation from the Chiefs and the AFC Playoffs to give Houston some wiggle room. The Texans play KC in two weeks for another game with major playoff implications.
at Colts (8-3)
at Chiefs (6-5)
vs. Cardinals (3-8)
vs. Raiders (2-9)
at Chargers (7-4)
vs Colts (8-3)
