NFL playoff picture: Here's how the Texans can clinch a bid in Week 17

For the Houston Texans entering Christmas, the message is simple: keep winning and watch what happens next.

Sitting at 10-5 following a 23-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Texans are in great shape for a third straight playoff appearance going into Week 17. All it takes is a win over the Los Angeles Chargers and the back-to-back AFC South champions are back in the playoffs.

But let’s say the Texans drop the ball on the road Saturday at SoFi Stadium. Could Houston still make the playoffs before Week 18’s season finale?

Yes. And even in a loss, the Texans would make the playoffs should the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17.

Here’s the latest AFC playoff clinch scenarios entering Christmas weekend.

Here’s a look at the current playoff picture following Sunday’s Week 16 outcomes. The * denotes which teams have already clinched a playoff berth.

NFL playoff picture (AFC)

New England Patriots: 12-3*

Los Angeles Chargers: 11-4*

The Colts (8-6) and Baltimore Ravens (7-8) are also still in the hunt in the AFC, though Baltimore might be out of contention for a wild-card spot since it has head-to-head losses to both Houston and Buffalo.

After facing the Chargers on Saturday, Houston will head home against the Colts in Week 18.

Everything now is about winning. Should Houston finish 12-5 and end up in a tiebreaker with the Jaguars, Jacksonville would clinch the division title because of a head-to-head win over the Denver Broncos. Houston look in Week 9 at home after C.J. Stroud left during the second quarter with a concussion.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL playoff picture: Here’s how the Texans can clinch a bid in Week 17

NFL playoff picture: Here’s how the Texans can clinch a bid in Week 17

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