Tag: afc playoff

NFL fine against Texans RB Joe Mixon reissued, this time for his actual rcomments

Instead of just admitting they were wrong, the NFL still plans on going after Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon for dumb comments.

The NFL still plans to fine Houston Texans Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon for his comments following Saturday’s 24-13 loss in the divisional round against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This time, the league office is actually going to fine him for his comments and not that of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Following the loss, Mixon mentioned the officiating in the locker room after the loss and how two plays against Patrick Mahomes factored into the outcome.

“Everybody knows how it is playing up here,” Mixon said. “You can never leave it into the refs’ hands. The whole world sees what it is, bro, but it is what it is.”

The NFL fined the Texans’ top rusher $25,000 for tweeting postgame, “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs? These officials are trash and bias.”

Here’s the problem: Mixon never tweeted that. Houshmandzadeh had tweeted it during the game while Mixon and Houston were trying to mount a comeback. 

After Mixon called out the league for the wrongful error, the league reissued the $25,000 fine for his actual comments made in the locker room. Right after the fine was released, Mixon hopped back on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it a “cold world.”

“So, let me get this straight. NFL fines me 25k for something I didn’t even say. Call them out for it, and (their) response was fine me AGAIN for something that’s not even a violation without even rescinding the first one,” Mixon tweeted. “Where’s the accountability? Just respect the players.” 

Peter Schaffer, Mixon’s agent, told ESPN they were already planning to appeal the fine and will still appeal it under the new issue.

“We will defend Joe and have appealed the fine and will explore all other legal avenues to rectify this situation,” Schaffer said. “This has to stop.” 

Updated playoff bracket: Where do the Texans rank following Christmas loss to Ravens?

The Houston Texans will host a playoff game following Week 18 against the top wild-card team.

Well, that’s one to throw out and never watch again.

The Houston Texans have not only clinched the AFC South, but also the No. 4 seed in the conference playoff race following a 31-2 loss on Christmas Day to the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson made history and catapulted Josh Allen in the race for MVP.

Derrick Henry turned back into the Tennessee Titan Tyrant that tortured  Houstonians every time he stepped foot inside NRG Stadium.

And the Texans? They just sat and watched. There was nothing even an above-average performance would have changed following a Kamari Lassiter safety against the All-Pro runner.

Houston (9-7) knows its fate. It also knows who likely is headed to the postseason in the AFC based on the outlooks of Week 17’s matchups. The Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) and Denver Broncos (9-6) can clinch a spot in the AFC wild-card hunt with wins on Saturday afternoon.

The Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Buffalo Bills (12-3) need one more win to secure the No. 2 spot. And the Ravens (11-5) need one more victory to clinch the AFC North and not repeat a Christmas massacre in the wild-card round later next month.

Below is a look at the potential NFL playoff bracket ahead of the rest of Week 17’s battles.

Who is in the NFL playoffs so far?

A total of nine teams have clinched playoff berths thus far. They are listed below by conference.

AFC

  • Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
  • Buffalo Bills (12-3)
  • Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
  • Houston Texans (9-7)

NFC

  • Detroit Lions (13-2)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
  • Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
  • Green Bay Packers (11-4)

NFL division winners 2024

Only three NFL divisions have been clinched entering Sunday’s Week 16. Below is a look at the division winners thus far:

AFC

  • AFC East: Buffalo Bills (12-3)
  • AFC North: TBD
  • AFC South: Houston Texans (9-7)
  • AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

NFC

  • NFC East: TBD
  • NFC North: TBD
  • NFC South: TBD
  • NFC West: TBD

NFL playoff bracket update

AFC bracket

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners): BYE

The coveted No. 1 seed is in the Chiefs’ hands after a beatdown on Christmas morning against the Steelers. The AFC championship game had gone through Arrowhead Stadium for a record five consecutive seasons before the Ravens ended that streak in 2023.

Now, make it six with Mahomes at QB1.

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East winners) vs. 7. Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 3)

The Bills are the only team to defeat the Chiefs to this point, but a road loss to the Los Angeles Rams knocked them out of first place entering Week 17. If the season ended today, Buffalo would host Bo Nix and a surging Broncos defense in an intriguing first-round matchup.

3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders) vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 2)

This is where things get less sticky. The Ravens must win in Week 18 over Cleveland to clinch the division a second time. Should they lose and Pittsburgh win, it could become a head-to-head based on point advantages. Much like with the head-to-heads elsewhere, Los Angeles won twice against Denver, so Jim Harbaugh would get the last laugh over Sean Payton for seeding purposes.

4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners) vs. 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)

Some are calling this the “mid-off” since both Houston and Pittsubrgh have looked dreadful down the stretch. Since Week 15, the duo has combined for a 1-5 record and have been outscored by 48 combined points.

Houston would host because it won the AFC South. Nothing more should be expected following yesterday’s implosion at NRG Stadium.

NFC bracket

1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders): BYE

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders) vs. 7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders) vs. 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South leaders) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)

NFL playoff picture entering Week 17

AFC

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners)
  2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East winners)
  3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)
  4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)
  6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 3)
  7. Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 2)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (7-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8), Cincinnati Bengals (7-8).

NFC

  1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders)
  3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West leaders)
  4. Atlanta Falcons  (8-7, NFC South leaders)
  5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)
  6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)
  7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

Clinching a Steelers playoff berth: Three Week 15 AFC scenarios

Steelers have multiple scenarios in Week 15 that could secure them a playoff spot, with a chance to clinch a spot among the AFC elites.

A moment of joy for Steelers fans! Not only is the beloved Black and Gold of the Steel City riding high after improving to 10-3 with a victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, but playoff implications from Week 15’s AFC matchups could spell success for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Mike Tomlin-led Steelers have not one, not two, but three different playoff berths the team could clinch.

If the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers both lose in Week 15, a Steelers win would guarantee that Pittsburgh has a top-five seed in the AFC playoff race.

If the Steelers manage to win, and only one of these AFC West teams win, Pittsburgh will guarantee at least a top-six seed in the playoffs.

Where things get interesting, however, is if the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins lose, followed by a Pittsburgh Week 15 victory. The Steelers will clinch at least the seventh seed in the playoff race.

With many opportunities to clinch a playoff berth in Week 15, can the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to make 2024 the year when their playoff victory drought finally ends?

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