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Houston Texans: Two things that need to happen to ensure a first-round bye

By Kenneth Cline

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 09: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans looks up at the videobord after he was called for a neutral zone infraction on a third and one during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 09: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans looks up at the videobord after he was called for a neutral zone infraction on a third and one during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 09: Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Texans beat the Eagles in week 16

I may be jumping the gun here by posting this and I’ll be ready to admit I made a mistake here. But even if the Houston Texans beat the Jets with help from the Steelers beating the Patriots, the Texans are still not in the clear. That’s because the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are next in line and the Texans face them at home in Philadelphia around Christmastime.

Sure, the Eagles are having a trying season as they overtime loss to the Cowboys pretty much sealed their fate to win the division. But a playoff hunt is still there and they’ll need a win over the Texans badly in order to get there. History shows that they can pick up a dub against the Texans as they have done so in all four meetings. This game would be a huge game for the Texans, who hopefully have a playoff spot locked up and maybe a division title.

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But in order to get that two seed, the Houston Texans will have to win the remaining games against the Jets, Eagles, and Jaguars. Of these three games, the Eagles will be the toughest one. At 6-7, their season is hanging in the balance and they have to win out for a guaranteed playoff spot. So they will surely feed off their fans and look to make a merry Christmas and happy holidays for Philly.

If factor one happens, then a win in factor two still keeps the team in control of the second spot. But a loss and a Patriots win over the Bills means the Patriots are in the top two and the Texans would have to depend on the Jets to beat them in Week 17.

So, the chances of a first-round bye are still plausible. But it’s going to have to take an extra effort from the Texans players after the disappointing loss to the Colts to make that a reality. We the Texans have their strengths, but we but they also have their weaknesses. December hasn’t always been the best month for Houston but maybe this year will be different

Next. Five things atop the Texans Christmas wish list. dark

If the Texans want to make this season more than a mirage, they have to dig deep inside, control their own destiny, and hope that the other factors play out in their favor. Here’s hoping for a quick change of fortune real soon.

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