How can the texans make playoffs

Jan 2, at am ET 1 min read. USA Today Images. Packers vs. Watch Now:. How every team can clinch playoff spot Jeff Kerr 1 min read.

Midseason awards: Who is MVP favorite? Buffalo awaits twice, while New England will also go up against Los Angeles and Cleveland, among others. Needless to say that the road to the postseason is still a tough one for the Patriots. The must-win in Houston did help, however. The team of second-year head coach Mike McCarthy is on a four-game winning streak and has looked like one of the most complete squads in the league through five games.

Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In , Bill O'Brien, in his first season head coach, helped the Texans bounce back to a record after a dismal season in Imagine if they made the postseason just months after earning the No.

It would have been possible back then with seven-team expanded playoff structure. However, the Texans had a better conference win record and therefore, the tiebreaker to earn that third Wild Card spot. But instead, the Texans won four of the final five games to close out the regular season, needing additional help to make the playoffs.

Ultimately, a Ravens' win over the Browns would end the Texans' hopes for a postseason run. Under the current CBA proposal that NFL owners are pushing for, the playoff field would be expanded to seven teams from each conference, while the regular season would be increased to 17 games per team and the preseason shortened to three games per team, according to ESPN.

The changes to the NFL's playoff format would take effect for the season, assuming the new CBA is approved beforehand. Personally, I could see the Browns and Raiders fading away as the season progresses. This would leave Philip Rivers and the Colts as the Texans biggest competition. While the Colts opening schedule was relatively soft, especially compared to that of the Texans, their competition does get fiercer, with two games against the Titans as well as matchups with the Packers, Ravens, and Steelers.

In other words, the Colts hot start could be humbled in the second half of the season. But the point is, the Texans have a clear road to the playoffs, as well as a talented quarterback and recent regular season success.

Only one team in NFL history has rebounded from an start to make the playoffs, but on paper, the Texans have the tools to become the second. If the Texans finish from this point on, they could make the playoffs, but would have to rely on other teams faltering down the stretch.

At finishing a strong from this point on, the Texans would have a much better chance to sneak into the postseason.