At 7-5, the Houston Texans are among four teams with the same record vying for one of three wildcard spots in the AFC playoff race. But despite their record, Houston currently remains out of the field with five games left in the regular season schedule.
That reality appears to have befuddled Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard, especially since Houston beat the Pittsburgh Steelers – who currently hold the No. 5 seed – back in Week 4.
How do the Steelers hold a wildcard spot over us right now and we beat them?
— Tytus Howard (@tyhoward71) December 5, 2023
The biggest issue here is that while the Texans own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers, Houston doesn’t own tiebreakers over the two other clubs – the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns – also in the playoff hunt. Pittsburgh does, though, meaning they jump to No. 5 ahead of the Colts, Browns and Texans.
Here’s ESPN’s explanation of said tiebreakers:
- Pittsburgh wins tie break over Indianapolis based on best win percentage in common games. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Cleveland (Pittsburgh wins tie break over Cleveland based on best win percentage in division games). Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Houston (Indianapolis wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage).
- Cleveland wins tie break over Indianapolis based on head-to-head win percentage. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Houston (Indianapolis wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage.
- Wins tie break over Houston based on head-to-head win percentage.
This doesn’t mean the Texans aren’t in a good position to make the postseason despite the lack of tiebreakers. Houston plays the Browns in Week 16 before a road AFC South clash with the Colts in Week 18. Wins against one or both of those teams would along way in their playoff push.
Week 14 will be crucial as well. The Steelers face the New England Patriots on Thursday night without quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Browns face a Jacksonville Jaguars team likely without quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Colts play the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. Houston, meanwhile, takes on the Jets.
The playoff picture will continue to clear as the season progresses. Howard, meanwhile, will watch from his couch or the sideline while he recovers from season-ending knee surgery.
