AFC playoff scenarios, Week 15: Bengals, Broncos can clinch

6 of 9

Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (6) reacts as he walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Record: 6-7
Current seed: No. 10 (tied with Indianapolis)
Remaining schedule: at Indianapolis, at Tennessee, vs. Jacksonville

Where they stand

Houston has had a very weird season. For the most part, the Texans have been without star running back Arian Foster. Brian Hoyer started the season at quarterback and was benched in the middle of the first game for Ryan Mallett, who was terrible and has since been released. Now, Hoyer is dealing with his second concussion in less than a month, and it is uncertain whether he can play again this season.

Enter T.J. Yates, who has done an admirable job in the past when filling in for quarterbacks in Houston. At 6-7, Yates will need to win some games, especially this weekend.

What needs to happen

Houston is taking on the Indianapolis Colts on the road in a virtual do-or-die game. The Texans can control their own destiny with a win, putting themselves up one game in the dreadful AFC South with only two remaining. Should Houston win out, or split while the Colts lose one of their games to either the Miami Dolphins or Tennessee Titans, it would take the division.

The Texans would still lose a tiebreaker should they split the final two weeks and the Colts won out, so there remains work to be done. Still the remaining schedule for Houston is very soft.

Next: 5. Kansas City Chiefs

Home/Cincinnati Bengals