Brandon Weeden started the season in Dallas, and could now be heading to the postseason with Houston. (Getty)
Brandon Weeden.
The Texans could be crowned division champions today with Brandon Weeden at the helm. Weeden was signed in mid-November after being released by the Cowboys, and led the Texans to victory last week over the Colts. That win put the Texans in the drivers seat in the AFC South, and it’s now a matter of clinching the division against the Titans.
Weeden entered the game early last week, and did what made him moderately successful in Dallas. He was accurate if conservative, finishing 11 for 18 for 108 yards and a TD. The key was a strong run game, aided by 107 yards from Alfred Blue.
If the Texans do clinch an AFC South title, it’ll be with their defense. Last time the Texans played the Titans, Zach Mettenberger was sacked seven times. The Texans are ranked 10th in the NFL with 36 sacks, and 13.5 of those come from J.J. Watt.
Here’s how the Texans look heading into Week 16:
AFC Standings
The Division Leaders:
1. New England Patriots — 12-2 — Clinched AFC East
2. Cincinnati Bengals — 11-3
3. Denver Broncos — 10-4
4. Houston Texans — 7-7
The Wild Card Contenders:
5. Kansas City Chiefs — 9-5
6. Pittsburgh Steelers — 9-5
7. New York Jets — 9-5
Indianapolis Colts — 6-8
Current position: 4th in AFC, lead Indianapolis by one game
Remaining schedule: at Titans (3-11), vs. Jaguars (5-9)
Colts remaining schedule: at Dolphins (5-9), vs. Titans (3-11)
If the Texans Win & The Colts Lose:
The Texans are 2015 AFC South champions. That would guarantee them the four seed in the AFC playoffs, and they would face either the Steelers, Jets, or Chiefs. The Texans defeated the Jets earlier this season, but fell to the Chiefs way back in Week One. It’s a disappointing season for the Colts, who are on the verge of seeing Andrew Luck return to action.
If the Texans Win & The Colts Win:
If both teams win, the Texans can still clinch the division based off something called ‘strength of victory.’ Basically it takes the combined record of opponents you’ve beaten, so that the team that beat the tougher opponents advances. Right now that’s the Texans, and they can clinch that percentage with a combination of victories today.
If the Texans Lose & The Colts Win:
If the Texans lose today, they’ll be tied with the Colts with a 3-2 record in the AFC South. That means that the final wee of the season could result with Houston on the outside looking in. Both teams finish with division matchups, but the Texans have the tougher draw against Jacksonville.
