Updated playoff picture: Where do Texans rank after Christmas loss to Ravens?

Well, this is a series to throw away and never watch again.

THE Houston Texans not only clinched the AFC South title, but also the fourth seed in the conference playoff race after a Defeat 31-2 on Christmas Day At Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson made history and catapulted Josh Allen into the MVP race.

Derrick Henry once again became the Tennessee Titan Tyrant who tortured Houstonians every time he set foot in NRG Stadium.

What about the Texans? They just sat and watched. There was nothing, even an above-average performance, that would have changed following a Kamari Lassiter safety against the All-Pro runner.

Houston (9-7) knows its fate. He also knows who will likely be headed to the AFC playoffs, based on the outlook for Week 17 games. The Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) and Denver Broncos (9-6) can clinch a spot in the AFC wild-card hunt with wins Saturday afternoon.

The Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) have already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed, while the Buffalo Bills (12-3) need one more win to secure second place. And the Ravens (11-5) need one more win to win the AFC North and not repeat the Christmas Massacre in the wild-card round later next month.

Below is a preview of the potential NFL playoff bracket ahead of the rest of the Week 17 battles.

Who is in the NFL playoffs so far?

In total, nine teams have clinched a playoff spot so far. They are listed below by conference.

AFC

• Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

• Buffalo Bills (12-3)

• Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

• Houston Texans (9-7)

NFC

2024 NFL Division Winners

Only three NFL divisions have been won before Week 16 on Sunday. Below is a look at the division winners so far:

AFC

• AFC East: Buffalo Bills (12-3)

• AFC North: To be determined

• AFC South: Houston Texans (9-7)

• AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

NFC

• NFC East: To be determined

• NFC North: To be determined

• NFC South: To be determined

• NFC West: To be determined

NFL Playoff Bracket Update

AFC support

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners): BYE

The coveted top seed is in the hands of the Chiefs after a Christmas morning loss to the Steelers. The AFC Championship Game was played at Arrowhead Stadium for a record five consecutive seasons before the Ravens ended that streak in 2023.

Now make it six with Mahomes at QB1.

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East winners) vs. 7. Denver Broncos (9-6, No. 3 wild card)

The Bills are the only team to beat the Chiefs thus far, but a road loss to the Los Angeles Rams dropped them out of first place entering Week 17. If the season ended today tday, Buffalo would welcome Bo Nix and a surging Broncos defense. an intriguing first round matchup.

3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders) vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 2)

This is where things get less tricky. The Ravens must win in Week 18 against Cleveland to win the division a second time. If they lose and Pittsburgh wins, it could become a head-to-head based on points advantage. Just like head-to-heads elsewhere, Los Angeles has won twice against Denver, so Jim Harbaugh would have the final say on Sean Payton for ranking purposes.

4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners) vs. 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, No. 1 wild card)

Some call this the “midway point” since Houston and Pittsubrgh both looked terrible throughout the stretch. Since Week 15, the duo has compiled a 1-5 record and been outscored by a combined 48 points.

Houston would host because it won the AFC South. We shouldn’t expect anything else after yesterday’s implosion at NRG Stadium.

NFC support

1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders): BYE

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders) vs. 7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders) vs. 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South leaders) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, No. 1 wild card)

NFL playoff picture ahead of Week 17

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, AFC West winners)

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East winners)

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-5, AFC North leaders)

4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wild card No. 3)

7. Denver Broncos (9-6, wild card No. 2)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (7-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8), Cincinnati Bengals (7-8).

NFC

1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East leaders)

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West leaders)

4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7, NFC South leaders)

5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)

6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, wild card No. 2)

7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)

This article was originally published on Texans Wire: Updated playoff picture: Where do Texans rank after Christmas loss to Ravens?