Texans NFL playoff picture: What Week 16 could bring for Houston

SB Nation

The Houston Texans secured another win on Sunday by beating the downtrodden Arizona Cardinals. They face another destitute franchise in the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday with a chance to achieve 10 wins

for the third year in a row. While they’re still one game back from the division lead, they have a great opportunity this week to catch the Jaguars, who play the 12-2 Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium.

Since last week’s article, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins were eliminated. As well, the Denver Broncos clinched the playoffs with a victory over the Green Bay Packers. Realistically, Houston can only afford to lose one more game and manage to keep their season alive. The Colts are in free fall and have a massive matchup against the San Francisco 49ers to keep their season alive.

AFC playoff standings

AFC South standings

According to The Athletic, the Texans playoff chances odds went up from 94% to 98%, while their chances to win the division improved from 37% to 39%. Houston desperately needs the Jags to lose an to the Broncos for a shot at the division.

Speaking of the division, the Colts odds plummeted from 20% t0 8%. They were at 68% just two weeks ago.

Raiders vs. Texans Playoff Implications

Notching another in-conference win will help for tie breaker purposes. Houston needs to emerge from this game unscathed by injuries, which has not occurred the past two-three weeks. A loss would only see their chances decrease to 92%, but it would open the door for the Colts to steal back the final wild card spot in Week 18.

Winning has a marginal impact on their odds… it’s actually the Colts losing which has the greater impact.

Week 16 NFL Matchups to Watch

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 1:05 EST)

Texans fans need to trade in their Battle Red for Sunset Orange on Sunday as a Denver victory would tie Houston up for the AFC South division lead. The tie breakers are extremely finicky, but right now Houston would edge Jacksonville for the division title. Denver has won 11 straight games and will try to secure the first seed in the playoffs with a win.

New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 8:20 EST)

AFC battles are critical to shaping the playoff picture. While the Jags v. Broncos has more direct implications, the Patriots could all but knock out the Ravens from the playoffs. Raise your hand if you want Lamar Jackson anywhere near the playoffs?