2012 AFC South Champs

The Texans are kings of the regular season, but what will be their playoff fate?

By Jeremy Philipson

Its official.

(AP Photo/Brett Coomer)

The Houston Texans are the 2012 AFC South Division Champions, beating the Indianapolis Colts 29-17 on Sunday to claim the title. This was expected from the veteran team in a division filled with young quarterbacks, but nonetheless, the Texans got it done. A minor victory on the way to their much larger goal, Houston has a lot of work to do before they can think about the Super Bowl.

Week 16/17: The Texans first, and most important, goal for the next two weeks is to stay healthy. There is nothing worse than losing a player to injury during a meaningless game. Also, a win this week (home vs. Minnesota) gives them the No.1 seed in the AFC and ensures them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Not only will this give Houston a chance to rest their players in their Week 17 bout with the Colts, it will give them a bye in the first round of the playoffs and guarantees they play in a dome for the rest of their games this season. Next week vs. Minnesota (home), Week 17 at Indianapolis (Lucas Oil Stadium is enclosed), every playoff game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, and if they make it, the Super Bowl is at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Houston should come out next week and look to close out the Vikings early and not let Adrian “All Day” Peterson run all over them.

Wild Card Round: Unless Houston loses their final two games, and the Patriots win their final two, the Texans will have a bye this week.

Divisional Round: Based on the current standings, Houston will play the winner of the Baltimore Ravens/Indianapolis Colts wild card game. I would pick Houston over either of these teams, especially given the Ravens current three-game losing streak. The Colts have been incredible this year, but the playoffs are a different animal, and I just can’t trust a rookie quarterback taking down two veteran teams in consecutive weeks.

Conference Round: The Patriots always seem to hit their stride around December, and this year is no different. Assuming New England carries this momentum into Denver and takes out the Broncos in yet another Brady-Manning battle, Houston will get another crack at the Pats. After being embarrassed by the Brady and Co. in New England last week, I think Houston finally gets over the hump, takes out the high-scoring Patriots at home. If the Texans can pull out the “w,” they will be taking their talents to New Orleans to play their final game on February 3, 2013.

The future of the season looks bright for Houston if they can stay healthy and follow their gameplan. I see no reason the Texans can’t run the table and play for their first Vince Lombardi Trophy.