Now hold your horses. We're not saying it’s definitely going to happen. We're not even saying it’s likely. We're just saying it’s mathematically possible. Here’s what it will take.
THE JAGS HAVE TO WIN OUT
This seems unlikely with Leonard Fournette suspended, a backup QB under center and a new offensive coordinator, but hey, sometimes, teams surprise you.
THE TEXANS HAVE TO COMPLETELY COLLAPSE
Houston has been red hot, 8 wins out of 8. It’s unlikely the team will implode, but…possible.
COOPERATION FROM THE COLTS
The Colts can win only one more game, and it HAS to come against the Texans.
TITANS NEED TO BE JUST GOOD ENOUGH
The Titans can win up to two more games, but they HAVE to beat the Colts and HAVE to lose to Jacksonville.
In that unlikely scenario the Texans and the Jags will finish tied at 8-8.
TIEBREAKERS
1. HEAD TO HEAD
According to the NFL rule book, the first tiebreaker is head to head. If we accept the bizzare reality imagined in this article, the Jags will beat the Texans in the last game of the season, avenging the October loss leaving the teams tied for the AFC title.
2. DIVISION RECORD
The second tiebreaker is the best record in the division. If the Jags win out and the Texans collapse, both teams finish 3-3, each with a win and a loss against each of the other AFC South teams.
3. COMMON GAMES
The third tiebreaker, according to the NFL is each team’s record against teams both have played.
AFC SOUTH MATCHUPS:
Everyone is 1-1 against everyone else, so push that aside.
WINS FOR HOUSTON
The Texans beat the Bills, who beat the Jaguars.
The Texans beat the Cowboys, who beat the Jaguars.
Two tiebreaker points for Houston
WINS FOR JACKSONVILLE
The Jags beat the Patriots, who beat the Texans.
The Jags beat the Giants, who beat the Texans.
Two tiebreaker points for Jacksonville.
LOOKING AHEAD
In this possible future, by the end of the season both the Jaguars and the Texans will have beaten the Dolphins and the Redskins.
Tiebreaker points are still tied.
THE DECIDING FACTOR:
If the Texans lose their remaining games, they will lose to the Jets December 15th…the same team Jacksonville beat September 30th.
You might say I'm crazy. You might say it's unlikely. The one thing you can't say, is that this season is over...at least not quite yet.