Tag: 2024 Texans playoffs

Texans know opponent in the AFC Wild Card Round

The Houston Texans have a playoff date with one of the AFC’s best from the west.

The Houston Texans’ path to a Super Bowl starts against a coach who won a national title the last time he stepped into the NRG Stadium.

The Texans welcome Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round following Week 18’s madness to end the regular season.

Houston (10-7) secured a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

Los Angeles (11-6) defeated the Las Vegas Raiders at Alliegent Stadium behind a two-touchdown performance from Justin Herbert in a 34-20 victory.

Houston was locked into the No. 4 seed regardless of Sunday’s outcome in Nashville. After losing on Christmas Day to the Baltimore Ravens, Houston couldn’t improve over either AFC North franchise.

But the opponent that would travel down south remained a mystery entering Saturday afternoon. With a Pittsburgh Steelers victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, they would have clinched the No. 5 seed.

If Los Angeles would have lost in the AFC West showdown, Pittsburgh would have clinched the No. 5 seed since it won the head-to-head matchup against the Chargers earlier in the season.

The Chargers head to Houston with the No. 1 scoring defense, holding opponents to 17.7 points per game. They also feature a formidable pass-rushing duo in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack while excelling in coverage behind All-Pro safety Derwin James.

Then, there’s Herbert. Under the new regime, the Pro Bowler has been a model of consistency in 2024. He’ll finish the regular season just shy of 4,000 passing yards with 23 touchdowns against three turnovers.

The Texans will have their hands full between a strong run game headlined by J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, plus an underrated receiver room. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is fresh off a 1,000-yard season after hauling in over 80 passes from Herbert and seven touchdowns.

Former TCU star Quentin Johnston leads the team with eight touchdowns. Josh Palmer is the top weapon in yards per catch, averaging 15.5 yards a play.

A date and kickoff times have yet to be determined.

AFC playoff picture: There are now 2 possible opponents for Texans in wild card round

The Texans know they’re either hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round.

The Houston Texans are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoffs regardless of Sunday’s outcome against the Tennessee Titans.

Their opponent? It rests in the hands of Justin Herbert.

The Texans’ options for next week’s wild-card round are down to the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Since Pittsburgh lost at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, the fate of the No. 5 seed belongs to the Bolts.

If Los Angeles (10-6) beats Las Vegas on Sunday, it will lock up the fifth seed and travel to NRG Stadium to play the Texans in the wild-card round. With a loss, Pittsburgh (10-7) heads south for a winner-take-all showdown in what perhaps will be the Amazon Prime game of the weekend.

Pittsburgh would earn the No. 5 seed because of its head-to-head win over Los Angeles back in September.

The team that nabs the No. 6 seed is in for trouble. The Baltimore Ravens, who bested the Texans in a 31-2 Christmas chaotic outing, clinched the AFC North and the No. 3 seed with a dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon.

The rest of the AFC is mostly set entering Sunday’s finale. Kansas City locked up the No. 1 seed at 16-1, while Buffalo is guaranteed the No. 2 seed.
Denver (9-7), Cincinnati (9-8) and Miami (8-8) are alive for the final spot.

With a win over the Chiefs, the Broncos are in at 10-7.

With a win over the New York Jets and a Denver loss, the Dolphins are in.

The Bengals did their job and have a head-to-head win over Denver, but they still need help to secure a postseason bid.

They’ll be pulling for the Chiefs and Jets to upset the Broncos and Dolphins, respectively.

NFL playoff picture: Clinching scenarios for AFC’s Wild Card contenders

Here’s everything to know about the AFC Playoff clinching scenarios entering Week 18.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Going into the final week of the 2024 NFL season, three teams are competing for the final and seventh seed in the AFC playoff race.

Three more teams are competing for the fifth overall seed. And if that’s not enough, two more are competing for the AFC North division title, with the loser potentially dropping to the No. 6 spot.

So, what does this mean for the Houston Texans? Honestly, not much. Even in a loss against the Tennessee Titans, Houston would remain locked in as the No. 4 seed.

The Denver Broncos (9-7) currently hold the No. 7 seed. Should they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, either the Miami Dolphins (8-8) or Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) could overtake Bo Nix and company for the final wild-card spot.

The Broncos will host the Chiefs and the Dolphins will face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bengals will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Broncos beat (or tie) the Chiefs, Denver would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins beat the Jets, Miami would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to KC and the Dolphins lose to NY and the Bengals beat the Steelers, Cincinnati would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Dolphins and Bengals both lose, Denver would clinch a playoff berth even if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are battling for the AFC North division. And the Los Angeles Chargers, who currently own the No. 6 seed, could improve their stock with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Here are the wild-card clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals and the Ravens lose to the Browns, Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to(or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns and Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Chargers win over the Raiders and the Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Los Angeles would clinch the No. 5 seed.

The Texans would face either the Ravens, Steelers or Chargers based on Saturday and Sunday’s results.