Houston Texans Path to the Playoffs Heading into Week 15

The Houston Texans have won five straight games and for the first time this season own a playoff spot. They made huge strides in their chances since last week’s article. While they’re still one game back from the division lead, Houston has a clear path to maintain a wild card spot through the remainder of the season.

Realistically, Houston can only afford to lose one more game and manage to keep their season alive. That goes for most of the teams in the hunt too. This past week saw the Chiefs and Colts

hopes crash drastically while a resurgent Miami Dolphins team entered the chat.

Houston can take a deep breath but cannot rest on their laurels with four contests to go and more ground to make up. To track their progress toward the playoffs, I will be providing a weekly update on the greater playoff picture and their chase of a third AFC South title in a row.

Current Playoff Picture

Current AFC South Picture

According to The Athletic, Texans playoff chances jumped by 35% after the win against the Chiefs, up from 59%. Additionally, their likelihood to win the AFC South improved by 14%. They desperately need the Jags to lose an in-conference game such as the Jets or more probable the Denver Broncos in two weeks.

Arizona vs. Texans Playoff Implications

Of the last four games, this game has the least implications. Sure, if they lose, their chances to make the playoffs plummet and the door opens for another team in the hunt to pass them up. However, this is the last NFC team, one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and a team eliminated from the playoffs.

Houston winning would increase their chances to make the playoffs from 94% to 96% according to the Athletic. However, a loss would decrease their changes to 84%.

Week 13 Matchups to Watch

Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 EST)

Two AFC playoff teams competing for the East divisional title. Texans should root for the Patriots to deal the Bills their fifth loss of the season and stymie Josh Allen and his surging offense. Houston owns the tie-breaker with the Bills and could jump them in the seeding for the Wild Card with a Buffalo loss.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 1;00 EST)

Texans fans would love if the Chiefs win. Knocking down the Chargers to 9-5 would be critical in this Wild Card race. Kansas City would be ELIMINATED with a loss. Not that Houston wants to keep the Chiefs in the playoff hunt, but rather a Chargers loss would give Houston another edge up on a current playoff team and opponent in two and a half weeks.

Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday, 8:15 EST)

While this game is fairly in the Texans periphery, it’s another matchup of AFC playoff contenders that could impact who Houston plays in the postseason. The Dolphins are winners of four straight and face AFC North leading Steelers. If you want the Ravens and Lamar Jackson OUT of the playoffs, the Steelers are your choice. If you root for the weakest playoffs possible, the Dolphins making the playoffs would be ideal.