In-Depth Look at the Playoff Race

Playoff hope in week 17 with all our QB issues, not bad...

 

Relying on the Cleveland Browns to help you isn't really a good sign. After the way Baltimore played today, they're probably going to win next week in Baltimore. I don't know how much faith I have in KC beating San Diego either.

 

Only needing 2 teams to lose is realistic. And both teams we are rooting for have won a ton of games this year and really aren't that far behind the teams they are playing, one or two games difference there. So this is basically a 50/50 proposition. All the teams involved are basically .500 teams except the Jaguars. The Texans should handle the Jaguars as they could barely beat the Titans last week with the Titans basically trying to hand them a win. This could totally happen.

If the first round opponent is the Bengals, that's winnable game. The Texans have more talented team.

Then we get the Patriots in the cold weather. It will come down one or two drives.

Then Peyton Manning who cannot deal with Watt. Jumpy feet against good defenses.

Onto the Superbowl against the Packers in Arizona, Texans would blow them off the field because it will be way to warm for the Packers. Seriously. Too warm there. The Packers will discount double check there way out.

 

Baltimore has been trending the wrong way for a while. Barely beat Jacksonville at home last week. It's always possible Flacco can get hot on a dime, but today wasn't just a case of a random bad game that will inspire them to play better the next time out. They haven't played their best football for a good bit.

As for KC, they're favored for a reason. For starters, they dominated at Arrowhead their last time out against an Oakland team that's actually showing a pulse these days. They're a good team at home. Moreover, their "loss" today was by one possession, on the road, against a red-hot and likely division champion in Pittsburgh. And largely due to an uncharacteristic Jamaal Charles fumble on the goal line. Meanwhile, the Chargers allowed 355 rushing yards in their last game, needed insane fumble luck to win in OT, and have a QB with a nearly-herniated disc in his back.

Odds are definitely below 50/50 since it requires two results to go in HOU's favor. But CLE and KC are a combined 15-15 for a reason -- they're quality football teams. And SD/BAL are not world-beaters. It's unlikely, but doable.

 

Texans still need to win too.

 

I agree it is the Browns but did u watch how bad Ravens looked this week and last couple. They have serious probs in the secondary.

 

The Steelers scoring 21 points in under three minutes against us probably cost us the playoffs.

 

We lost several close games.

It's what mediocre teams do.

 

So what needs to happen for the Texans to get in?

 

Hopefuly good Hoyer shows up for one game against the Ravens. He is playing for a contract next season.

 

I feel better about the Browns winning with Hoyer rather than JFF.

 

Texans win, Ravens Loss, & Chargers loss

 

Texans win is HIGHLY likely
Chargers loss is likely or at least possible
We really are gonna have to depend on the Browns

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (vs. Denver in Week 16, at Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17)

Cincinnati clinches a playoff spot with:

(1) CIN win (either against DEN in Week 16 or PIT in Week 17)
(2) SD loss + BAL loss

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (vs. Cincinnati)

Pittsburgh clinches AFC North with:

(1) Win

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (at Kansas City)

San Diego clinches a playoff spot with:

(1) Win

BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs. Cleveland)

Baltimore clinches a playoff spot with:

(1) Win + SD loss

HOUSTON TEXANS (vs. Jacksonville)

Houston clinches a playoff spot with:

(1) Win + SD loss + BAL loss

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (vs. San Diego)

Kansas City clinches a playoff spot with:

(1) Win + BAL loss + HOU loss

 

Ah well, it was a good run. I can't see SD and Baltimore both losing, even if SD loses I think Baltimore will win. (Or the Texans will somehow snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by losing to the Jags)

 

yup. two loses + a texans win..thats a pretty low %.

 

This reminds of that season we where we won the last game of the season (to get into the playoffs), but didn't get the help we needed. I forget what year that was, around 2010-2011 I think. I hope that doesn't happen again, but it is likely unfortunately.

 

2009 was the year we beat the Patriots at Reliant in Week 17 to finish 9-7, but lost out on a playoff berth due to a tiebreaker to the Jets who beat us in Game 1 (Cushing and Sanchez's rookie year).

 

Right, that was it. Myers lost that game for us.

 

I honestly didn't think the Texans would have this good of a chance at the playoffs after week 7.

SD and Baltimore could absolutely lose.