Playoffs?!? PLAYOFFS??!!?

[Keith]

The Chargers' loss last night to the Pats helped the Texans quite a bit. Also helping is that the Chargers have a tough remaining schedule: vs. DEN, @ SF, @ KC. Seems plausible there might be two losses in there.

The Texans have the Ravens in two weeks, and I think winning that one is more critical than even beating the Colts. Ravens remaining schedule: vs. JAX, @ HOU, vs. CLE. Would be awesome if the Browns or Jags could win in Baltimore, but those could be tall orders.

The Steelers remaining schedule: @ ATL, vs. KC, vs. CIN. I could see Pittsburgh winning out with this lineup.

The Bengals remaining schedule: @ CLE, vs. DEN, @ PIT. If the Browns can beat them next Sunday (Johnny Football fever?), then the Bengals could free-fall out of the playoffs.

Need to keep KC in this picture. They are in if they win out. Remaining schedule: vs. OAK, @ PIT, vs. SD.

So maybe the Bengals get bounced here along with the Chargers. The Steelers win their division, and the Ravens get the other wild card along with the Texans.

That would set up a road trip for the Texans to Pittsburgh with a shot at redeeming themselves for the loss earlier this season. As the 6th seed, should they win, they'd play the team with home field next, likely the Patriots at this point... an interesting master/apprentice match between Belichick and O'Brien. I think the Texans stand a better chance of beating the Patriots than the Broncos on the road.

[Keith]

Also, even if the Texans beat the Colts & Ravens, AND then the Cowboys beat the Colts the week following, the Texans still cannot win the division if you think the Colts can win over the Titans in Week 17.

The Titans are quite possibly the worst team in the league. The Texans really needed the Browns to win yesterday to have any hope of winning the division.

Wild card or bust at this point.

[Nconroe]

I sure didn't think we'd be talking even remote chance at playoffs right now, so good job Texans to even have a distant shot at playoffs this year.

[Keith]

Texans are a wild card IF:
- They beat the Jaguars at home
- The Chiefs beat the Chargers at home
- The Browns beat the Ravens in Baltimore

...quite a trifecta.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Keith

Texans are a wild card IF:
- They beat the Jaguars at home
- The Chiefs beat the Chargers at home
- The Browns beat the Ravens in Baltimore

...quite a trifecta.

Hardest one to stomach is the Ratbirds vs. The Browns. Of course if today's Flacco shows up, that could definitely happen. He really really really sucked.

Can you imagine......Case, who didn't win a start in 8 tries before getting cut, gets called off the deer stand and leads the Texans to the playoffs. Holy Moly. Cougar High faithful will be beyond obnoxious.

But I'll take it.......

[popanot]

Well, it looks like Johnny Foos-ball is hurt and Hoyer will likely be at QB, who, while not a great option, at least has something to prove and is playing for a contract (his NFL life) somewhere next year. JFF has been awful and I like the CLE chances of an upset much better with Hoyer at the helm. Let's hope JFF's hammy stays hurt.

[popanot]

Well there goes that idea...

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk · 15m15 minutes ago
Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel are both hurt, so it could be Connor Shaw time on Sunday

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...haw-may-start/