Yes, the Houston Texans’ playoff chances are very much alive and well following a Thursday Night Football thumping over the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium.
The bad news? No one was upset, so it doesn’t really help the cause of creating separation in the AFC.
The Texans sacked Josh Allen eight times and created three turnovers in a 23-19 win on Thursday to move back into the winner’s column. Houston is currently on a three-game win streak despite not having quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Davis Mills did enough in the first half to avoid a potential comeback in the second. He threw two touchdown passes, including one with two minutes remaining in the first half to rookie Jayden Higgins. Meanwhile, the offensive line looked improved with Tytus Howard shifting over to the left guard. Houston only allowed one tackle for loss and zero sacks.
“The offensive line did a great job opening up holes for them and controlling the line of scrimmage, and our receivers and tight ends got in on the action,” Mills said postgame. “When you can do that, play-action pass opens up because they’re stacking more people in the box and you can spread it out and really get everything going scheme-wise as an offense.”
Now sitting at 6-5, Houston could be inching closer toward a postseason bid. If the season were to end today, Houston would be on the outside looking in, largely because of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ overtime win on the road over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers fell out of contention with a loss to the Chicago Bears, but have the better strength of record, thus moving into the eighth spot over Houston.
The Jaguars, who improved to 7-4, actually moved up to the No. 6 seed in the playoff picture. Despite losing the head-to-head battle with Houston, Buffalo’s 7-4 record kept them in line with the No. 7 seed.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-3) lost ground with an overtime loss on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs. Up 20-9 in the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes and Co. mounted a comeback to tie the game with less than a minute remaining before securing bragging rights in overtime.
With the New England Patriots securing a win on the road over the Cincinnati Bengals, Drake Maye’s squad becomes the first 10-win franchise of the regular season. The Denver Broncos were on a bye week, but with the Colts’ loss, they remain in the No. 2 seed.
There’s one more game remaining to wrap up Week 12, but neither team is in the playoff picture for the AFC. So, here’s a look at the AFC’s playoff picture going into Week 13’s divisional matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.
NFL playoff picture (AFC)
Playoff Teams
Up next, the Texans hit the road to take on the Colts.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: AFC Playoff Picture: Texans lose ground despite because of upsets
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
