Do The Texans Have To Win The AFC South To Make The Playoffs?

Something I heard Charlie Pallilo talking about on the drive home yesterday was that for the Texans to finally become a playoff team this season, they likely wouldn't be getting in as a Wild Card. No, with the Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Patriots and whoever comes out of the lousy AFC West all looking to end up with better records than the Texans, a wild card spot is probably unlikely.

Sure, it's still early in the season but that's a hell of an assumption to make. Do you think Houston will end up with a better record than the four other teams listed up there? Anything less than 11 wins may leave you on the outside looking in this year if you aren't a division champ.

So, can the Texans win the AFC South? Let's take a look after the jump...

With arguably the hardest part of the schedule remaining and the black cloud hanging over Reliant Stadium with the feeling that the bottom is about to drop out on this team, a division title seems quite ambitious. I would think that their best shot is to do no worse than 4-2 within the division. That means no losing to a crap team like Jacksonville this year and splitting with both Tennessee and Indianapolis. Needless to say, a sweep of the Colts would make this a lot more feasible. In my opinion, no way in the kingdom of Durga are the Texans going to sweep the Titans. It just will not happen. In fact, I am of the mind that it may be the other way around.

So in my theory, we need to sweep the Colts (that just feels weird to type...), sweep the Jags and then with Tennessee, you're playing with house money. You can't drop games to teams like San Diego and Denver, who are just flat out disasters. Then you pray to split a fou- game stretch that consists of the Jets, Titans, Eagles and Ravens...you done laughing yet?

Even if that happens, you're still looking at a 10 win team, which will be good enough for Gary Kubiak to keep his job sadly, but to be watching the playoffs from his own living room. And this is with going 5-1 in the division. Yeah, it looks grim to say the least.

Regardless, do you think 10 wins can take this division? Personally, I say hell no. Even with half of the Colts' roster on IR, I still think they win 10 games. It's just what Peyton does. I think the Titans may win 12. And knowing our history with the Jags, I bet we split with them again this season. But cheer up...at least the schedule will be easier next season.

Feel free to tell me how wrong I am in the comments below. And, please, convince me...

Please.