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Week 17 action in the NFL began on Christmas with a triple-header of games featuring just one team in playoff contention at the end of the day: the Denver Broncos.
Saturday’s NFL action opened with two AFC teams fighting for playoff positioning: the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans.
Los Angeles already had clinched a playoff spot, but Houston’s 20-16 win means that the Texans will make the playoffs for the third year in a row under coach DeMeco Ryans.
Houston’s battled back from an 0-3 start to reach the postseason once again, having done so in 2018 as well. The Texans’ win over the Chargers is their eighth in a row – seven of which came against AFC teams.
The AFC South hierarchy’s fluctuated over the course of the season. Indianapolis‘ hot start gave them the upper hand before Jacksonville and Houston both surged back up the order.
With the Texans now set to play in the postseason, here’s a look at the division standings and scenarios for both teams:
AFC South standings
Here’s how things look ahead of Sunday’s slate of games in Week 17:
Houston’s win over Los Angeles eliminated the Colts from playoff contention.
Texans playoff scenarios
Houston’s win moves them to 11-5 and in play for a miraculous comeback division crown.
At worst, the Texans will be in the playoffs as the No. 7 seed if the following results happen:
Houston loses to Indianapolis at home in Week 18 ANDLos Angeles beats Denver on the road in Week 18 ANDBoth Jacksonville and Buffalo win at least one of their final two games.
But the Texans could also be as high as the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs if the following happens over the next nine days:
Houston beats Indianapolis at home in Week 18 ANDJacksonville loses out.
No matter what, Houston will be playing meaningful football in January – something that seemed far from likely three months ago.
Jaguars playoff scenarios
Jacksonville’s surged up the standings with seven wins in their last eight games. They’ll wrap up the regular season with divisional games against Indianapolis in Week 17 and Tennessee in Week 18. The Jaguars beat those teams in Week 14 and Week 13, respectively.
Jacksonville could end up as high as the No. 1 seed in the AFC if the following happens:
Jacksonville wins out ANDDenver loses to Los Angeles ANDNew England splits their final two games or loses out.
Jacksonville is a game up on the Texans in the loss column. If they win out, they’ll be no worse than the No. 3 seed and will take their first AFC South title since 2022. But the Jaguars could fall as far as the No. 7 seed if:
They lose out ANDLos Angeles beats Denver ANDBuffalo wins at least one of their final two games.
The Jaguars will finish with the most wins they’ve had in a single season since 2007 regardless of what happens over their final two games.