Tag: AFC playoffs 2024

Texans might not face off against Patrick Mahomes in Week 16 because of one play

Patrick Mahomes’ status is now in jeopardy as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans could have a preview of what to expect in the AFC playoffs next week when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes might be waiting to debut against second-year gunslinger C.J. Stroud in January instead of Week 16.

The three-time MVP passer sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. During his postgame press conference, Mahomes said he was unsure if he would play next week when the Texans come to town.

“It’s hard to say right now,” Mahomes said after the Chiefs’ 14-point road victory in Cleveland “You still [have the] adrenaline rolling and usually it’s kind of the day after when you kind of get a good sense of it. I feel like I could have finished the game in different circumstances, but I thought the smart decision … was to put Carson Wentz in.

“… You just do what you have to do to get back, and I think that’s the most important thing. And now we just get back to the rehab part, the treatment part, and try to get ourselves ready on a short week against a good football team.”

According to NFL Network, Mahomes is listed as “week-to-week” entering the final three regular season games. Kansas City has already clinched the AFC West and sits at 12-1 in the conference standings.

Mahomes’ absence could benefit Houston in multiple ways. Should the Indianapolis Colts defeat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, a win next week would secure the Texans their second division title.

If Houston were to clinch the AFC South in Week 15, everything would move toward seeding. With a head-to-head win over the Buffalo Bills, the Texans could move up to as high as No. 2 in the AFC postseason picture, thus giving them a home matchup against the No. 7 seed.

While Mahomes is expected to undergo X-rays, Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters postgame that he could have re-entered the game but the team thought it was best to leave him sidelined.

“He wanted to fight about it, but we’ve got a good support there behind him with Carson and it was good to get him a few reps in there too and let our guys hear that snap count in case he has to go,” Reid said.

If Wentz is to start, Houston has a good indication of limiting the former No. 2 overall pick. He finished 2-of-2 passing for 20 yards in mop-up duty and would likely trust a ground game to beat Houston next weekend.

Houston, which improved to 9-5 following Sunday’s 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins, hasn’t played at Arrowhead since the 2020 season opener.

Most fans remember the matchup against the Chiefs for the 24-0 blown first-quarter lead in the AFC Divisional Round in 2019. Houston ended up losing behind a Mahomes comeback in a 51-31 outcome.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans can clinch playoff spot in Week 15 with one possible scenario

Here’s how the Houston Texans can clinch the AFC South division title in Week 15’s showdown against the Miami Dolphins.

Even though the Houston Texans won’t play an AFC South opponent, they can clinch the division before midnight on Week 15.

The pathway to the postseason is simple, but also partially out of Houston’s control.

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pointed out, the Texans can secure one of the final five playoff spots in the AFC in front of the fans at NRG Stadium with a win over the Miami Dolphins.

That’s only one part of the equation. Houston also needs the Denver Broncos to defeat the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Stadium, thus moving the Colts’ record to two games below .500.

Even if the two teams were to finish with 9-8 records, the Texans swept Indianapolis during the regular season, thus giving them a division advantage.

If both teams won, Houston would simply need to defeat Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium to secure a 10-win season. Much like Week 15’s outlook, even if the Colts were to finish 10-7, they’d lose the head-to-head battle.

A Texans’ win also benefits the Pittsburgh Steelers, who would clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and losses from Indianapolis and Miami.

The Green Bay Packers can clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Seattle Seahawks, get a loss or tie from the Atlanta Falcons and get a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Week 15.

The Minnesota Vikings can also punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Chicago Bears. The Eagles are already in playoffs but would secure the NFC East with a victory over Pittsburgh.

None of that matters to Houston for now. Just win against a red-hot Dolphins roster on the warpath to January football since Tua Tagovailoa’s return and wait for the rest to fall in line.

It’s not like the Texans must win to stay alive. According to the New York Times playoff simulator, Houston has a 96 percent chance of making the postseason and would improve their standing to over 99 percent with a win over the Seahawks.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

What are the Texans’ chances of making the NFL playoffs?

Here’s what the odds look like for the Houston Texans to win the AFC South and make the playoffs in 2024.

Following a 23-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium,  the Houston Texans improved to 8-5 in the 2024 campaign.

Entering the bye week, they remain the AFC South favorites and the fourth seed in the conference standings, trailing Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), Buffalo Bills (10-2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3).

Kansas City and Buffalo have already clinched playoff berths, with the latter clinching the AFC East title. The Texans likely would need chaos to ensue, along with a win next week, to guarantee their spot in the College Football Playoff.

Should Houston somehow drop the division title, it would remain in the hunt for a wild-card berth. Well, at least for the time being alongside the Denver Broncos (8-5), Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (8-4).

The Texans will play the Miami Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens following the bye. They also hold a two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South division race.

Houston controls its playoff fate. According to Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com, if the Broncos beat the Colts in Week 15, Houston would need to defeat the Dolphins at NRG Stadium to clinch a playoff berth.

Here’s a look at the AFC’s playoff picture entering Week 14.

AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
  4. Houston Texans (8-5)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
  6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
  7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

In the Hunt

  1. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
  2. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)