Battle Red Blog
The Houston Texans have won four straight games but still can’t sniff the playoffs due to a competitive AFC race. While their chances to make the playoffs haven’t budged since last week’s article, their likelihood to win the division has never been higher. The leaders in the division, Indianapolis and Jacksonville, face off this week for the outright lead.
The knife’s blade that is the playoff race got even more sharp this week as seven of the top 10 teams remaining won. Realistically, Houston can only afford to lose one more game and confidently make the playoffs. The Texans face a Chiefs team whose playoff odds fell 20% after losing to the Cowboys. Conversely, the Jags saw their chances spike by 9% by crushing the Titans.
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 on the greater playoff picture and their chase of a third AFC South title in a row.
Texans only improve to a 60% chance for a playoff birth according to The Athletic, up from 53%. Their likelihood to win the AFC South improved by 5%, which feels low considering they are one game out and have four wins in the division.
HIGH. Houston could deliver a body blow to the Chiefs’ playoff chances on Sunday Night Football with a win over the refs… I mean the Chiefs. I can’t imagine the league would want Kelce and Taylor and Mahomes out of the playoff picture with four weeks to go, but frankly, they should have won more.
Houston winning would increase their chances to make the playoffs from 60% to 85% according to the Athletic. However, a loss would decrease their changes to 46%.
Pittsburg Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1:00 EST)
While Houston’s chances don’t improve with either team winning, any NFL fan can attest that they do not want their team to face Lamar Jackson in the playoffs. The 6-6 Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling on offense and lack a true passing game. The Ravens snapped their five-game winning streak against the Bengals who convincingly beat them in Joe Burrow’s first game back.
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1;00 EST)
Texans fans should root for the Colts. Indianapolis has a more difficult schedule down the stretch. Plus, Houston still has one game left against the Colts where they can secure the head-to-head tie breaker over their rival. The Texans broke even against the Jags this year. Whoever wins this game will have sole possession of the AFC South.
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers (Monday, 8:15 EST)
Los Angeles faces a brutal gauntlet down the stretch that includes the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Broncos. If the Eagles can muster a victory over the Chargers, it alone improves our chances by 2%. The Chargers hold...
