Playoff scenarios

[Nconroe]

If Rithlesberger keeps throwing picks Pitt just might loose.

[popanot]

Well, 1 down... Of course, the Texans need to hold up their end of the bargain and win out. Let's hope the Ravens lose another game. Talk by some of wanting to see the Texans in a wildcard game b/c it gives them (and us fans) a better chance at a playoff win is just plain silly. I'd much rather take the path of playing the fewest games possible to reach the SB.

[Arky]

The Chron posted a pretty thorough breakdown of the all the playoff scenarios.

If the Texans want a first-round bye, they need help.

If they win their two remaining games — at Indianapolis (on Thursday) and against visiting Tennessee (Jan. 1) — they would earn a bye only if either New England or Baltimore suffers a loss.

New England, at 11-3 is in control of the race for the top seed. The Patriots face Miami, which lost to New England earlier this year but is 5-2 after an 0-7 start to the year. The Patriots close with Buffalo, which beat New England earlier this year but has lost its last seven games.

Baltimore has the most challenging game remaining of the top four teams, finishing the year at Cincinnati, which lost 31-24 to Baltimore earlier this season but likely will be fighting for a wild-card berth. The Ravens also host 4-10 Cleveland.

The Ravens swept Pittsburgh during the season, so in a tie-breaker the Ravens would win the AFC North, leaving Pittsburgh with a wild-card berth.

But, should Baltimore fall to Cincinnati (or Cleveland), Pittsburgh would win the division by winning out against two sorry teams (St. Louis and Cleveland).

If Pittsburgh wins the division and finishes with the same record as Houston, the Texans would get the edge because of their win over the Steelers this season.

So, Texans fans, there’s another reason to cheer for former Katy star Andy Dalton and the Bengals in the final week of the season.

The most likely scenario, if there is such a thing, is that New England, Baltimore and Houston win out (since they are the top playoff teams after all), giving the Texans the No. 3 overall seed and a first-round game at Reliant Stadium.

Against whom? Well, good luck figuring that out. (See below)

[Keith]

Texans are locked into the #3 seed.

Who do you want to see as the #6? And should the Texans win, which road game would you prefer, Pats/Ravens/Steelers?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

Texans are locked into the #3 seed.

Who do you want to see as the #6? And should the Texans win, which road game would you prefer, Pats/Ravens/Steelers?

I'd most like to play Cincy. They are not very good offensively and Yates would probably be most confident going into that game due to the win and how it happened. Plus I think they are the least talented.

I would hugely prefer Pittsburgh or Baltimore to having to play New England. NE turns almost any game into a shootout, and we are not equipped for that. With Pittsburgh we are in a slugfest and we know there line struggles. And Baltimore lays an egg about every 3 or 4 games.

[nunusguy]

Looks like our WC opponent could be any team from a group including Cinci, the Jets, the Chiefs, Oakland, and the Titans, depending of course on what the outcome of their games are next Sunday and tiebreakers ?
I'm curious about Kuibaks approach to Sundays regular season finale against the Titans, one of those possible playoff opponents ? Will he go all-out to win the game or give consideration to resting starters by limiting their snaps ?

[HPF Bob]

Cincy is in the drivers seat for the last wild card slot but they have to beat the Ravens or hope for help. I do think they make a good first round opponent because I think they lack confidence in themselves, just like we do.

The Chiefs and Chargers are officially out so it is down to Cincy, the Jets, the Titans or the Raiders. It looks like the Bengals take most tiebreaker scenarios, then the Raiders, then the Titans then the Jets but it all depends on the outcomes of about six AFC games.