Steelers present a winnable Wild Card clash, but a Patriots showdown could derail Houston's playoff dreams.
The Houston Texans are primed for what could be a memorable playoff run. Who they have to face in their first matchup could determine the likelihood of such run this postseason.
With one weekend left to play before the NFC and AFC playoff brackets are solidified, many are looking ahead to which matchups we could see in the first round. Surprisingly, there are several variables to watch for this weekend that could shake up the entire tournament.
Writer Jeremy Brener ranked five possible wild card opponents for the Houston Texans leading up to the playoffs. He ranked them from No. 5 to No. 1.
Brener identified the Pittsburgh Steelers as the most beatable opponent the Texans could face in the Wild Card round. He wrote the following of Pittsburgh.
"If the Texans beat the Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans, and the Steelers beat the Ravens, Houston will travel to Pittsburgh for Wild Card Weekend.
The Texans haven't played the Steelers this season, but they should be able to contain a not-so-mobile Aaron Rodgers, which should give the team a lot of hope.
The Steelers only scored six points this past week against the Cleveland Browns defense, which is one of the best in the NFL behind the Texans. This should be the easiest matchup the Texans face out of any playoff opponent."
The not-so-mobile Aaron Rodgers still poses a handful of challenges in regard to arm talent, experience, wisdom and football intelligence. So, while it might be the Texans' easiest matchup, it doesn't stand as a free win for the team. Nevertheless, Houston would be in good position to win the game given its matchup advantages.
Brener's toughest matchup probably won't be argued against by any Texans fan. He labels the New England Patriots as the biggest hurdle Houston would have to overcome in a wild card scenario.
"The Patriots might have the MVP of the league in Drake Maye, and although they are not proven in the playoffs, they have arguably been the best team top-to-bottom throughout the year in the AFC.
They can still clinch the number one seed with a win and a Broncos loss. But this is potentially who the Texans would have to face in the AFC championship if they got that far."
Maye has become a household name in NFL circles and certainly has won over plenty of Patriots fans. If the Texans can get past the Patriots in any round of the playoffs, they will have a good chance to make a run.
Houston will look to enter the playoffs with momentum and a strong finish.