The Houston Texans can’t clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
They can, however, end all talks of an improbable comeback out in Duval County for 2024.
Sitting at 2-9 and in last place in the AFC South, a loss to the Texans (7-5) on Sunday would knock Jacksonville out of its divisional running, per NFLplayoffscenarios.com.
Houston must win to knock Jacksonville out of the divisional race, but more chaos must occur for the Jaguars to be completely eliminated from the postseason conversation altogether.
The favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick, Jacksonville would be eliminated from postseason contention by losing paired with the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) and Denver Broncos (7-5), both winning or tying their Week 13 matchups, against the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) and Cleveland Browns (3-8), respectively.
The Texans would improve to 4-1 in the AFC South with a victory over the Jaguars and could clinch a playoff berth in several weeks following a Week 14 bye.
Houston is looking to return to its winning ways after falling short of a comeback against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12. Will Levis tossed two touchdown passes, including a game-winning 70-yard score to tight end Chig Okonkwo in the fourth quarter.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT on FOX.
