Getty Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Tennessee Titans have had one of the better turnarounds in the NFL this season. Their storybook season hit a bit of a speed bump Sunday after quarterback Ryan Tannehill led an incredible second half comeback that fell just shy of propelling them into first place in the AFC South.
The Texans took a 14-0 lead into the half, but Tennessee fought back, executing a crucial third quarter touchdown drive and scoring multiple times again in the fourth, but they just couldn’t get it done, falling to the Houston Texans 24-21. They will play the Texans in a huge divisional showdown again Week 17 in a game that could very well determine whether or not they make the playoffs.
So what does the Titans’ loss mean for the AFC playoff picture? Here’s a look at the current AFC playoff picture after the first round of afternoon games Sunday. We will update the AFC playoff picture as the second round of afternoon games take place.
Note: All percentages and numbers included below are courtesy of Playoff Status.
Current AFC Playoff Picture After Titans Loss and Texans Win:
GettyLamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens remain the top seed in the AFC.
The Baltimore Ravens (12-2) have the top seed in the conference, with the New England Patriots (11-3) sitting in the #2 spot after beating the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday. The Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) hold firm, keeping the 3rd seed in the AFC with their win against the Broncos Sunday, and the Houston Texans (9-5) are in the 4th spot.
The two Wild Card slots in the conference are held by the Buffalo Bills (10-4) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6). After beating the Steelers Sunday night, the Bills clinched a playoff spot and sit firm in the #5 slot in the AFC. The Steelers’ loss leaves them tied with the Tennessee Titans record-wise (both teams are 8-6), but the Steelers have the better conference record (Pittsburgh is 6-4, whereas the Titans are 6-5) so they currently hold the #6 spot.
Updated Tennessee Titans Playoff Outlook After Loss to Texans
GettyTitans quarterback Ryan Tannehill led an admirable comeback, but he and the Titans fell to the Texans Sunday.
With their loss today, the Titans now have a 72% chance to miss the playoffs entirely. They also have a less than 1% chance of nabbing the #2 seed, a 1% chance at the #3 spot and an 8% shot at landing the #4 seed.
As for their current Wild Card outlook, their chances there took a hit, as well. The Titans now have a less than 1% shot at the #5 seed in the AFC and an 18% chance at the 6th and final seed in the conference. The Titans and their fans have to be rooting for the Buffalo Bills to knock off the Pittsburgh Steelers when they meet up in the Sunday Night Football game.
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