Houston Texans clinch an AFC Playoff berth
Even with a Week 16 loss on Sunday, the Houston Texans can go to sleep knowing they will be in the playoffs the season.
Sunday on the field didn’t go how the Houston Texans wanted with a 32-30 loss in Week 16 to the Philadelphia Eagles, but what was bad news on the field eventually turned Sunday into a bit of good news as they now know they will be playing in the playoffs this season.
With the New Orleans Saints defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-28, it sealed no less than a wildcard spot for the Texans depending on the outcome of their Week 17 game. Houston gained the playoff berth with a 10-5 record after 16 weeks of games but still have the opportunity to clinch the AFC South championship and even a first-round bye.
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If the Texans defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17, the Texans are the AFC South champions. If the Texans win the game against the Jaguars and the New England Patriots lose to the New York Jets, the Texans will have a first-round bye.
Now if the Texans lose in Week 17 to the Jaguars, the winner between the Colts and Titans will be the AFC South champion, and the Texans would be the No. 6 seed in the AFC and have to play on the road in the playoffs.
Currently, the AFC Playoffs look like this after Week 16:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)
2. New England Patriots (10-5)
3. Houston Texans (10-5)
4. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-6)
Those in the AFC Playoff hunt are the Tennessee Titans (9-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6-1).
Simply put, if the Texans want the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins to not have to travel for their first playoff game, then they need to win in Week 17.
Next. Houston Texans have unlucky Week 16, lose to Eagles. dark
If the franchise wants to win another division championship, all they have to do is win in Week 17 and they will be hosting a playoff game.