Houston Texans can clinch NFL playoff berth Sunday

[Fili]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...f-berth-sunday

The 9-1 Houston Texans can be the first team to punch their ticket to the dance if the following goes down in Week 11:

Convoluted scenario No. 1:

Texans win + Titans loss or tie + Dolphins loss or tie + Jets loss or tie + Bengals loss + Chargers loss or tie

Sounds unlikely? Yeah, probably. How 'bout this one?



The intense race for the playoffs is in full gear. Check out the latest situation in the postseason chase. More ...
Convoluted Scenario No. 2:

Texans win + Titans loss or tie + Dolphins loss or tie + Jets loss or tie + Bengals loss or tie + Steelers loss

What have we learned? Well, the Texans are unlikely to clinch a playoff spot in Week 11. But it is possible, which tells you a lot about how their season is going.

Keep up to date on the race to the postseason with our "Playoff Picture" page. Even you, Eagles fans.

[TexansFanatic]

First team to clinch. That would be incredible.

[DX-TEX]

Originally Posted by TexansFanatic

First team to clinch. That would be incredible.

Scary IMO. I would rather they be in a dogfight to the bitter end.

[TexanSam]

Titans vs Jags
Dolphins vs Seahawks
Jets vs Patriots
Bengals vs Raiders
Chargers vs Ravens

There would have be a few big upsets for us to clinch this weekend.

[Malloy]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Titans vs Jags
Dolphins vs Seahawks
Jets vs Patriots
Bengals vs Raiders
Chargers vs Ravens

There would have be a few big upsets for us to clinch this weekend.

Everything short of the Raiders winning sounds plausable

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Malloy

Everything short of the Raiders winning sounds plausable

Boy, you are quick on the trigger; especially on the bet last week

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Titans vs Jags
Dolphins vs Seahawks
Jets vs Patriots
Bengals vs Raiders
Chargers vs Ravens

There would have be a few big upsets for us to clinch this weekend.

Just the Bungals and the Tacks.

The Tacks can lose for all we care, right?

[76Texan]

Hooray!

I hope we clinch the number one seed early so we can take it easy on some of the guys, but one game at a time, one game at a time.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by DX-TEX

Scary IMO. I would rather they be in a dogfight to the bitter end.

If you mean by the "bitter end" the Super Bowl and that we're playing in the it, I agree.

If you mean that we won't know whether we've made the playoffs until the last week of the season, then I think that's nuts.

So which is it?

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

If you mean by the "bitter end" the Super Bowl and that we're playing in the it, I agree.

If you mean that we won't know whether we've made the playoffs until the last week of the season, then I think that's nuts.

So which is it?

Not just that but we should'nt be in a dog fight 'less we already forgot about Vicks, LOL.

I need a JJWatt's finger waving emoticon here

[Thorn]

We're 9-1. We'll be in the playoffs. No need to worry or rush things.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

If you mean by the "bitter end" the Super Bowl and that we're playing in the it, I agree.

If you mean that we won't know whether we've made the playoffs until the last week of the season, then I think that's nuts.

So which is it?

I'd rather be in a dogfight to the bitter end. Being the first to the dance has a tendency to take the pressure off too long and lose focus. There have been way too many times that a team with the best record get its clock cleaned in its own house by some wild card team that's loose, and has everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I'd rather be in a dogfight to the bitter end. Being the first to the dance has a tendency to take the pressure off too long and lose focus. There have been way too many times that a team with the best record get its clock cleaned in its own house by some wild card team that's loose, and has everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

I'll never understand that mindset.
It's the freakin' playoffs. EVERYONE is in the "everything to gain, nothing to lose" situation.
It's Win or Go Home for everybody.

[rush2112mn]

Doing my Spicoli impression from Fast Times at Ridgemont High
"Awesome.....totally Awesome"

[GP]

If a fan doesn't want a playoff spot locked up in November, I have to really wonder about that fan.

It ranks up there with fans who get bummed if we don't face a fully stacked opponent. I mean, Lord forbid we have an easier game because opponents have significant players out of a game.

I have a feeling those fans also love Kubiak's "Get Cute" play calling episodes. After all, it wouldn't be fair to defenses if we played our cards straight.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

If you mean that we won't know whether we've made the playoffs until the last week of the season, then I think that's nuts.

So which is it?

Nuts.

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Remember that one year when Shanahan's Broncos went 8-0 to start the season and then went 0-8 to finish it and missed the playoffs.

I think you're referring to the 2009 season where Josh McDaniels began his had coaching career 6-0, then the Broncos went 2-8 the rest of the way.

12 of the past 14 AFC Champions had a 1st round bye. I'm hoping the Texans get that bye, myself.

[ATXtexanfan]

hell yeah get that bye. a week off will make our guys hungry and we got a qb who hasnt played in the playoffs. man talk about an itch.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I think you're referring to the 2009 season where Josh McDaniels began his had coaching career 6-0, then the Broncos went 2-8 the rest of the way.

I'm just getting old and my memory isn't as trustworthy as I think it is.

I conflated McDaniel's 6-0 start with Shanahan's last season where he was sitting at 8-5 and lost the last three games. Either way, they both had promising starts to their seasons go down the tubes. Which was the point I was trying to make in a befuddled and brain-addled way.

[ObsiWan]

Well, let's see how we're doing...

Convoluted scenario No. 1:
Texans win (check)
+ Titans loss or tie (@ Jags; possible only if Henne goes off on them like he went off on us)
+ Dolphins loss or tie (hosting Seahawks; maybe... Seahawks don't travel well)
+ Jets loss or tie (check)
+ Bengals loss (hosting Raiders so probably no go here)
+ Chargers loss or tie (hosting Ravens so not likely... It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they hung another loss on the Ravens though)

Sounds unlikely? Yeah, probably. How 'bout this one?

or...

Convoluted Scenario No. 2:
Texans win (check)
+ Titans loss or tie (see above)
+ Dolphins loss or tie (see above)
+ Jets loss or tie (check)
+ Bengals loss or tie (see above)
+ Steelers loss (@ Browns. I'd normally say "no go" but Pitt is down to their 3rd string QB and the Browns have been playing tough. And we certainly know how dangerous one-win teams can be)

Methinks it's still unlikely - but not impossible - that we clinch a playoff spot this weekend.

[76Texan]

It doesn't matter to me. Clinching with a beat down on the Tits will be so fun to watch.