The Houston Texans remain in control of the AFC South following Week 12, but their playoff path looks increasingly tougher as the competition tightens in the AFC standings.
Despite a loss this week, the Texans 7-5 record has them positioned as the No. 4 seed, clinging to the divisional lead over struggling rivals.
However, as the playoff race heats up, so does the pressure for Houston to secure a postseason berth.
The Texans can breathe a bit easier knowing they hold a two-game advantage over the Indianapolis Colts (5-7) in the AFC South. Even better, Houston has already secured the tiebreaker over Indianapolis with two head-to-head victories this season. That cushion keeps the Texans comfortably in the driver’s seat for now, but with five games left, there’s no room for complacency.
At the top of the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) and Buffalo Bills (9-2) are pulling away in the race for the No. 1 overall seed. With the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) focused on holding off the Ravens for the AFC North title, the Texans’ realistic goal is securing the No. 4 seed and a home playoff game.
While the focus for Houston remains on the AFC South title, the margin for error is slim given the competitive wild-card race. The Los Angeles Chargers (7-3), Baltimore Ravens (7-4), and Denver Broncos (7-5) are all within striking distance. The Broncos’ Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders tightened the standings showing the importance of every remaining game.
Key games against AFC contenders, including the Broncos and Ravens, now loom large. Wins in those games could solidify their playoff standing, while losses might push them into a tough spot.
For the Texans the scenario is clear: maintain control of the division, or risk being dragged into a chaotic wild-card battle where seven wins might not be enough to punch a playoff ticket.
During the four games that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was absent, the Miami Dolphins struggled badly, looking like one of the worst teams in the NFL. They only averaged 10 points per game, went 1-3, and passed for more than 150 yards ...
The Chicago Bears are done for the year. Their chances of making the playoffs are so slim that we can write off the rest of the year. The only thing to watch now is the progress and development of Caleb ...
Milwaukee Bucks foward Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play tonight against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. He is dealing with a strained left calf but is listed as probable on the injury report. Here's the game preview: Game time: 7:30 pm., ET Where: ...
The Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls entered the season with different agendas. The Pistons are a young team on the rise, hoping to finally compete in the Eastern Conference and build upon a talented core. The Bulls have been stuck in the ...
BOSTON — The Celtics put on a show in Kristaps Porzingis return to the lineup on Monday night, cruising to a 126-94 blowout win over the Clippers at TD Garden. The hosts broke the game open by shooting 70 percent from the field and ...