Texans get a huge win without doing anything at all

Moving forward, every single week will feature at least one matchup that in some way affects the Houston Texans' playoff chances. Whether it's good or bad.

That's the beauty of being right in the thick of the NFL playoff race: Including the Texans' own games, each week will affect what ultimately happens in January. 

Sure enough, the Texans have already received a dose of the rollercoaster ride in Week 14 and they haven't even played a snap of football, yet. And it comes in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers losing to the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

The Steelers ultimately lost, 21-18, on Thursday night and as a result, fell to 7-6 on the year.

I'm sure you already know where this is going, but just in case you don't; remember, the Texans are currently 7-5. 

Yep. The Texans are officially back in the playoff race after holding the No. 8 spot before the Steelers' loss. Now, they're holding onto the last Wild Card, at No. 7, while Pittsburgh is out of the picture at No. 8.

The current AFC playoff picture and where the Texans fit in

Here is how things currently stack up in the AFC:

• No. 1 seed: Miami Dolphins (9-3)
• No. 2 seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
• No. 3 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
• No. 4 seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
• No. 5 seed: Cleveland Browns (7-5)
• No. 6 seed: Indianapolis Colts (7-5)
• No. 7 seed: Houston Texans (7-5)

As you can see, it's a tight race for all seeds with five games left to go in the season. The Texans are not only holding onto a postseason berth, right now, they still have a shot to win the AFC South. They also have a chance to earn the AFC's No. 1 seed, even if the odds are much lower than winning the division.

Still, the Ravens have the NFL's toughest remaining strength of schedule, with matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, Dolphins, Jaguars, Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams on the docket. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have the 12th-hardest remaining SOS and they have to deal with the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, on top of the Ravens. 

Houston has the seventh-easiest remaining SOS. Only the Jags and Chiefs have easier schedules. But, we don't know what's going to happen with Trevor Lawrence, which could opens things up if he misses time. The Texans play the Browns in Week 16, which gives them a chance to gain an edge, there, and then they play the Colts in the season finale. Who knows, that game could decide who wins the South.

In all, the Texans have a 76% chance to make the playoffs, a 19% chance to win the division and a less than 1% chance of earning the No. 1 seed.

Still, everywhere you look, there is a map to the top seed in the AFC, regardless of probability. The Texans are going to have to take care of business and get some help along the way, but they are in very good shape as they head into the final month-and-change of the regular season.