It can’t be underscored enough that the most important element to Week 15 is for the Houston Texans to get a win over the Tennessee Titans Sunday at noon CT at Nissan Stadium. Nevertheless, there are other games in Week 15 that impact the Texans’ playoff hunt, and they need them to break a certain way. Here is a list of the games Texans fans should keep an eye on and root for specific outcomes.
early games
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals — Root for Bengals
It is highly unlikely the second-best team in the AFC drops their third game in a row, this time to a 1-12 that could end up winning the Joe Burrow Sweepstakes. Nonetheless, if the Patriots finish with the same record as the Texans, Houston gets a first-round bye. In order for that to happen, the Patriots will have to drop one in Cincinnati.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs — Root for Broncos
It is the same situation as with the Patriots, though it probably won’t include a first-round bye. However, if the Chiefs finish with the same record as the Texans, Houston moves up further in the playoff seeding. It could be the difference between playing a surging Buffalo Bills team that would be the winner in any other division or the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have had their share of ups and downs.
late games
Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders — Root for Jaguars
This is more to ensure the Texans don’t have any further competition for the wild-card spots. Currently, the Raiders are “in the hunt” at 6-7, theoretically the No. 9 seed if the playoff bracket extended that far. By the Raiders falling further out of the field, it just gives Houston less competitors.
Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals — Root for Cardinals
Much like with the Raiders game, rooting for a Browns loss just means less competition for the Texans. Currently, Cleveland is the No. 8 seed. With another loss, they fall to 6-8 on the year and closer towards a losing record.
sunday night football: buffalo bills at pittsburgh steelers — root for bills
If the Texans aren’t able to get a win over the Titans, then they will need to have the Bills beat the Steelers. In beating the Steelers, it would further entrench Buffalo into the No. 5 seed. However, it would push Pittsburgh further down the totem pole. Houston would have the immediate tiebreaker of conference record: 7-4 to 6-4. But the Steelers have three more conference games to go while the Texans have two. The more Pittsburgh keeps losing, the better it is for Houston’s wild-card chances.
monday night football: indianapolis colts at new orleans saints — ROOT FOR SAINTS
The Colts, currently the No. 7 seed, are 6-7 and still have a shot at the playoffs, and it involves the Titans and Texans losing two of their last three games. With a Colts loss, they will be pushed further down the “in the hunt” category and knocked out of the playoffs.
