NFL Playoffs: 5 dark horse teams who can still make it

Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints tackle Zach Strief (64) and quarterback Drew Brees (9) lie on the ground after Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) makes a sack during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) talks to quarterback Andrew Luck during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Tampa Bay 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The AFC South Loser – Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts

The wildcard picture in the AFC is somewhat congested. If this was three weeks ago no one would have suggested that the AFC South could produce one of the wildcard teams. Here calls for a sometimes tired cliché – that was then, this is now.

The surprising re-emergence of the 40-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselback has kept the Indianapolis Colts from fading out of the division lead, just in the nick of time. The once left for dead Houston Texans are winners of four straight. If the season ended here, they both would be playoff bound. The Colts would be hosting the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Texans would play the aforementioned, and vulnerable Cincinnati Bengals team.

Both teams are dark horses for different reasons.

The possible return of quarterback Andrew Luck is enough to put some fear in a few teams. And if he cannot comeback, or remains on the sidelines holding a clipboard, Matt Hasselback has a winning resume. He is steady. He does not beat himself. That is enough to garner some belief that a win, or two providing the right circumstances is not out of the question.

Somebody has to win the AFC South, somebody has to lose. If the loser is the Houston Texans and they can hang on to that sixth seed, would either Cincinnati or Denver want to face them? There are several reasons why the Texans could remain hot.

J.J. Watt has helped give the defense its swagger back. He’s leading the NFL with 13.5 sacks, putting the fear back into the opposing teams once again. The secondary, which is unsung, has begun to do a good job on coverage. Houston holds teams to 220 passing yards per contest. Only Chicago and Denver are better. While they do not wow you with their turnover numbers, but it they do not have to. The Texans hold opposing quarterbacks to under 60 percent in completions. That will keep them in just about any game. As long Brian Hoyer can keep feeding DeAndre Hopkins the football, while keeping the giveaways to a minimum.

Next: 2. Chicago Bears

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