Texans fans, see how Thanksgiving outcomes could pave a playoff path. Dallas's win, plus future wins, ignites Houston's postseason hopes.
We at the Texans Roundtable wish you and your families safe, peaceful and food-filled Thanksgiving days!
With that said, we have some football to discuss, and we're thankful that the Texans are still able to benefit while getting to sit back and watch. Let's take a look at how today's afternoon slate of games can help Houston in the AFC playoff race:
Chiefs Vs. Cowboys (3:30 P.M. - AT&T Stadium)
After a gutsy 23-20 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (6-5) visit the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) for the second Thanksgiving day contest of the afternoon.
In fact, both teams had to clutch up for victories last week, with the Chiefs overcoming an 11-point deficit against Indy, while the Cowboys almost doubled that by coming back from down 21-points to take down the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.
Due to a series of tiebreakers, the Chiefs are currently the 10th seed in the AFC, two spots behind the Houston Texans (6-5). With a loss today, Kansas City would drop to 6-6. half of a game behind Houston prior to next Sunday.
Why is next Sunday important, you may ask? Well, beside it being just another NFL Sunday, that is when the Texans face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since their AFC Divisional Playoff matchup last season.
For the uninitiated, the last time these two teams were on the same field, the Texans lost to the Chiefs 23-14 in the AFC Divisional round and were sent home for the Spring, while the Chiefs went on to appear in yet another Super Bowl (his fifth appearance).
When the two lock up this time, it could determine the final course one another's regular season. If the Texans get some help today from the Cowboys, and also take down the Chiefs next Sunday, it would give them a game and a half lead in the standings with only four games left.
Bengals Vs. Ravens (7:20 P.M. - M&T Bank Stadium)
In the Thanksgiving day finale matchup, the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) visit their division opponents in quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (6-5).
Speaking of quarterbacks, according the the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow has officially returned to action after missing the last nine games due to a turf toe injury suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week two.
Both teams are in the AFC, but the Ravens are the only threat out of the two this season because of a recent surge by Baltimore that has seen them win their last five games in a row. In doing so, they also snagged the AFC North lead from the Steelers (6-5) because of having the better divisional record.
With a Ravens loss this evening, it would drop them to 6-6, which is half of a game back of the Texans in the loss column. It would also raise the already high stakes of next Sunday's contest between them and the Steelers.
Do you think the Texans get a lot of help on Thanksgiving day? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or on the official Texans Roundtable X account, @Texans_RTB!