Are the Texans in the playoffs with a win over the Chargers in Week 17?
The 10-5 Texans are sitting just outside the AFC playoff picture, but they have a chance to work their way in when they face the Chargers in Week 17.
The Houston Texans face the Los Angeles Chargers on the road this Saturday, and they just happen to be one win away from locking up a postseason spot, and control their own fate entering Week 17.
What if I were to tell you after the Texans started 0-3, that at the end of Week 16, they would have a chance to still get the #1 seed?
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) December 22, 2025
Although it is roughly a .2% chance, or as @SteveKornacki on @SNFonNBC says “a snowball in Key West”, it’s still a chance! 🤣
Scenario below: pic.twitter.com/fI6vRsg2PK
How the Texans clinch a playoff berth in Week 17
The Texans will clinch a playoff berth in Week 17 with either of the following outcomes:
- A win or tie against the Chargers
- A Colts loss or tie (vs Jaguars)
Houston doesn’t need both - just one of those results would be enough to officially punch their ticket to the postseason.
What happens if the Texans don’t clinch in Week 17?
If the Texans lose to the Chargers and the Colts win, the playoff picture tightens significantly heading into Week 18.
In that scenario:
- Houston would still be alive in the playoff race, but no longer safe.
- The Texans’ playoff hopes would likely come down to a must-win regular-season finale.
- Tiebreakers and scoreboard-watching would suddenly become critical.
While elimination wouldn’t happen immediately, the margin for error would disappear entirely. Clinching this weekend, however, would give the Texans a guaranteed playoff spot and freedom to approach Week 18 with less pressure. They need a win on Saturday.
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