For the fourth consecutive season, the Tennessee Titans need a victory in Week 17 to get their ticket to the postseason – and just like last season, the Titans can guarantee their spot against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Except this time a victory for Tennessee would mean an AFC South title, which would be the first for this franchise since 2008. To get it right, the Titans would have to sweep the Texans for the first time since 2007.
However, the Titans can miss the playoffs with a loss. The good news is that they still have several ways to reach the postseason or win the division, in case the Texans turn or draw.
It is also possible that Tennessee will get a playoff spot before it even starts on Sunday.
Let’s take a look at which games are important to the Titans’ playoff hopes and what results Tennessee needs in those games to make it to the playoffs or even beat AFC South without a victory in Week 17.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (noon CT)
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens are just one team at the conference fighting for their life in the playoffs, but luckily for Lamar Jackson and company, they have several ways to get there and are facing a Cincinnati Bengals 4-10-1 team that has nothing for what to do. play .
If the Ravens win, they are in the playoffs. If they lose, this will guarantee the Titans’ place in the playoffs and may prevent the Ravens from reaching the postseason depending on what other AFC teams do.
Desired result: Ravens lose to Bengals
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (noon CT)
ALLEN EYESTONE / THE PALM BEACH POST
The Miami Dolphins may have a break in this confrontation, as Buffalo Bills has already secured a place in the playoffs and can rest its holders.
It is true that the Bills still need to secure second place, but they can do so even if they lose if the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are resting their starters, lose to the Cleveland Browns.
If Miami wins, it will be the end of the playoff. If the Dolphins lose, the Titans will win a place in the playoffs, no matter what happens in their game, and Miami is in danger of losing the postseason.
Desired result: Dolphins lose to accounts
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (noon CT)
Normally, you would think the Browns are a block to beating the Steelers with coach Mike Tomlin’s team resting their starters, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but it’s the Browns we’re talking about and history has shown us that nothing is certain in Cleveland.
With that said, a defeat by the Browns can still pave the way for the Titans to make the postseason without winning, as Tennessee can tie Houston and move forward with the defeat of Cleveland. Of course, that path will only matter if Tennessee draws and Indianapolis wins.
Desired result: Browns lose to Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (15:25 CT)
(AP Photo / Darron Cummings)
Nothing the Indianapolis Colts do will matter in terms of AFC South if the Titans can simply win on Sunday. However, if the Titans lose and the Colts win or tie the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts will win the division.
The Colts have a steep hill to climb on week 17. Indianapolis must win or draw and needs one of the Titans, Ravens, Browns or Dolphins to lose just to secure a playoff spot. A defeat by Colts will keep them out of the playoffs entirely.
Result of desire: Colts lose to Jaguars
Scenarios involving ties
(AP Photo / Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Draws are rare, but there are scenarios in which Tennessee can still make the playoffs against the Texans. Here they are:
To guarantee a playoff spot with a draw:
1. CLE loss and TEN tie OR
2. Draw MIA and draw TEN OR
3. BAL tie and TEN tie
To win AFC South with a draw:
1. TEN tie and IND tie
How the Titans can miss the playoffs
(AP Photo / Brett Carlsen)
For the worst scenario to unfold, which would be the Titans losing the playoffs entirely, they would need the following series of events to occur:
1. Dolphins beat accounts and
2. Ravens defeat Bengals and
3. Colts defeat Jaguars and
4. Texans defeat Titans