NFL Playoffs bracket 2017: Texans advance over Raiders
By John Buhler
The Houston Texans are the first team to move on from wild card weekend in the NFL Playoffs. Here is the updated playoff bracket in the NFL Playoffs.
The Houston Texans (9-7) become the first team to win their NFL Wild Card Game be defeating the Oakland Raiders (12-4) 27-14 on Saturday evening. Houston was able to do enough on offense to best a depleted Raiders team.
It also helped that Oakland couldn’t do much of anything on offense with Connor Cook at quarterback. Hats off to defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and the Texans defense for advancing. So who do the Texans end up playing in the AFC Divisional Round?
While it has not been determined, Houston is in all likelihood going to have to go on the road to play the No. 1 New England Patriots (14-2) at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
However, it really all depends on what happens in the other AFC Wild Card game between the No. 6 Miami Dolphins (10-6) and the No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5). Should Pittsburgh win, Houston will play New England in Foxborough. If Miami pulls off the upset, then the Texans would be going to Arrowhead Stadium to play the No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1:05 p.m. ET.
New England will play the lower of the two advancing seeds in the AFC Playoffs. Houston is the No. 4 seed and needs to see the outcome of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game on Sunday afternoon before getting ready to play an AFC playoff road game.
Here is the updated NFL Playoffs bracket for both conferences all the way up to Super Bowl LI, coincidently in Houston. Do the Texans have what it takes to be the first team in Super Bowl history to play for a Lombardi Trophy on their home turf?
Wild Card
Saturday, Jan. 7
4:35 p.m. ET ESPN
No. 4 Houston Texans 27, No. 5 Oakland Raiders
8:15 p.m. ET NBC
No. 6 Detroit Lions (9-7) at No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (10-6-1)
Sunday, Jan. 8
1:05 p.m. ET CBS
No. 6 Miami Dolphins (10-6) at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
4:40 p.m. ET FOX
No. 5 New York Giants (11-5) at No. 4 Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Divisional
Saturday, Jan. 14
4:35 p.m. ET FOX
No. 3 Seattle Seahawks/No. 4 Green Bay Packers/No. 5 New York Giants at No. 2 Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
8:15 p.m. ET CBS
No. 4 Houston Texans/No. 6 Miami Dolphins vs. No. 1 New England Patriots (14-2)
Sunday, Jan. 15
1:05 p.m. ET NBC
No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers/No. 4 Houston Texans vs. No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
4:40 p.m. ET FOX
No. 4 Green Bay Packers/No. 5 New York Giants/No. 6 Detroit Lions vs. No. 1 Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
Conference Championships
Sunday, Jan. 22
3:05 p.m. ET FOX
NFC Championship: TBD
6:40 p.m. ET CBS
AFC Championship: TBD
must read: 30 Best NFL Defenders of All-Time
Super Bowl LI
Sunday, Feb. 5
6:30 p.m. ET FOX
Super Bowl LI (NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas): TBD