National Football League

Despite odds, Texans in playoff hunt heading into final week

Published Dec. 22, 2014 7:03 p.m. ET

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Shawn Ramsey

After finishing last season with a 2-14 record and a 14-game losing streak, few thought the Houston Texans would be talking playoff scenarios in Week 17 in 2014. 

Despite the team's quarterback woes and No. 1 draft pick Jadeveon Clowney missing most of the season with injuries, the Texans have a real chance to make the playoffs thanks to a dominating 25-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. 

But it is a long shot -- the Texans need help from other teams. 

First of all, the Texans need to defeat the 3-12 Jacksonville Jaguars at home to even have a chance. After that, they'll need some help from the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs to make the postseason for the first time since 2012.

With all games at 12 p.m. CT, Houston fans likely will be channel surfing Sunday to check on the drama unfolding. The Texans, however, will be focused on winning.

"I'm sure that's the case, but the only thing we can focus on is going out and winning this next game," cornerback Kareem Jackson said after his two-interception performance Sunday. "That's all we can do is do our part. We'll prepare this week and we'll go out and we'll play on Sunday and get a win."

While the Chiefs beating the San Diego Chargers at home seems plausible, the Browns defeating the Ravens is a more daunting task. 

The Browns lost by only two points against the Ravens in Week 3. However, this Cleveland team is on a four-game losing streak and certainly has a different feel heading into the final game of the season, with quarterbacks Johnny Manziel (out) and Brian Hoyer (questionable) both suffering injuries in Week 16. 

Yes, that means the Texans' postseason hopes could be in the hands of undrafted Browns rookie quarterback Connor Shaw.

The only silver lining for the Texans is that the Ravens were flat on offense Sunday at NRG Stadium. Not a good idea to count on that, though, as Baltimore will be playing to make the playoffs as well. 

Texans coach Bill O'Brien warns against overlooking Sunday's opponent, despite the fact the Jags have only three wins. 

"The most important thing about this week is the Jacksonville Jaguars and that we are very, very focused on them," O'Brien said Monday. "Our guys really should not look at their record at all. It's a very tough football team in all three phases, and so our guys need to be very, very focused."

Houston defeated the Jaguars 27-13 in Week 14, but will have a different quarterback starting in Case Keenum, who will get his second consecutive start. His stats weren't the best Sunday -- 20 of 42 for 185 yards -- but with a full week of practice and meetings, O'Brien believe his quarterback will be more prepared in Week 17.

"Obviously the Jaguars are a totally different team than the Ravens, so we have to do a good job of preparing together, myself, George (Godsey), Case (Keenum) and then the team on offense of making sure we put together a good game plan and making sure that he knows it," O'Brien said. "Again, he'll make improvement just from being here for a week and getting back into the routine of the way we do things."

Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey

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