The Houston Texans Can End Up in a Few Different Spots in the Playoff Picture
What Should Texans Fans Be Rooting for on Sunday
The Houston Texans are in the playoffs regardless of what happens in the game against the Indianapolis Colts. Who and where they play are based on the outcomes of three games.
If the Texans beat the Colts, Houston can only be the three seed or the five seed in the AFC. Indianapolis is starting rookie quarterback Riley Leonard. DeMeco Ryans stated the Texans don’t intend to rest their regular starters. Kamari Lassiter is the only starter officially ruled out.
While the Texans are playing, the Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Tennessee Titans. If the Titans beat the Jaguars, a win by the Texans earns the third consecutive AFC South title for Houston. The Texans would likely host the Jaguars if that result occurs. If the Jaguars beat the Titans, Houston’s highest seed will be the five seed, no matter their result against Indianapolis.
If the Texans lose to the Colts, Houston could end up as the fifth, sixth, or seventh seed in the AFC. Which seed depends on the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are resting quarterback Justin Herbert. They seem unlikely to beat the Denver Broncos. Denver would clinch the AFC’s top seed with a victory. The Bills play the New York Jets. The Texans are the six seed with a loss to the Colts and a Bills win over the Jets.
The most likely outcome, barring an upset in Jacksonville, is the Texans earning the five seed. Their opponent in that scenario is determined by the outcome of the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Baltimore Ravens in the final game of the regular season. The winner is likely to host the Texans. The Ravens will have Lamar Jackson at quarterback, fresh off his first full week of practice in months.
The Steelers seem to be the easiest possible opponent. Pittsburgh is lightly talented at its skill positions. Aaron Rodgers has limited mobility. The Pittsburgh defense is opportunistic; they have the same number of turnovers forced as the Texans. They’re a much better matchup than Baltimore.
A healthy-ish Lamar Jackson, combined with a much healthier defense than what the Texans played earlier this season, would be a tough matchup. Healthy Ravens teams have had Houston’s number the past three seasons.
The outlier of the Jaguars, either in Houston or Jacksonville, is intriguing. The teams split the two matchups in the regular season. Houston’s incredible win streak started with the comeback against Jacksonville.
Whichever scenario plays out, it starts the Texans down a path that features the most wide-open AFC in recent memory.
Score Prediction
The Houston Texans will win 31-10. Riley Leonard will be no match for this defense. The Texans, similar to last season, do not play their starters on offense very long. Houston has the win in hand and will rely on the Tennessee Titans to take out the Jacksonville Jaguars. If they don’t, Houston will prepare for the winner of Sunday Night Football. Nick Chubb has some rushing incentives to hit; look for the veteran to get a chance to add to his paycheck.
