Houston Texans Remain Outside AFC Playoff Picture Following Win vs. Tennessee Titans

The Houston Texans remain on the outside looking in if the AFC playoff race was decided today.

The Houston Texans came away with a 19-16 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon as they look to remain in the race for an AFC playoff berth.

Although the Texans managed to pick up the win in Week 15, they remain on the outside looking in if the postseason field was decided today. Houston comes in at No. 8 in the AFC playoff race, representing the first team out in the field directly behind the No. 7 Indianapolis Colts who would earn a Wild Card berth.

Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks as of Monday:

1. Baltimore Ravens* (11-3)

2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)

5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

* indicates a clinched playoff berth

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Other teams in the hunt for a seed alongside the 8-6 Texans are the Buffalo Bills (8-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7), Denver Broncos (7-7), Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) and Los Angeles Chargers (5-9).

Houston picked up the win on Sunday with a multitude of players out with injuries, including rookie sensation quarterback C.J. Stroud who failed to clear concussion protocol after entering last week in a loss to the New York Jets. 

Case Keenum led the charge at quarterback for the Texans in Week 15, going 23-36 through the air for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Injury-Riddled Texans Defeat Titans in Overtime

The Texans have now familiarized themselves with the Titans, and they will face Tennessee again in two weeks at NRG Stadium in Houston. Before that meeting, they will host the Cleveland Browns next Sunday in a game that could have massive implications in the playoff picture.

Kickoff between Houston and Cleveland is set for 12 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on CBS.