NFL Playoff Picture: Houston Texans and Teams That'll Lose in Wild Card

To win in the NFL playoffs, you have to have a good-to-great quarterback and be a disciplined team. It’s why the Houston Texans and these teams will lose their first game in the postseason. 

Houston Texans 

The Texans defense could carry them deep in the playoffs. However, with rookie T.J. Yates as their quarterback, they will continue to run a conservative offense that will be the reason why they lose in the first-round.  

Houston will play the New York Jets in the Wild Card round. Against the Jets and their seventh-ranked passing defense, they will force the Texans into a one-dimensional team that can only move the ball by using their running game.  

The Jets have proven in the past two years that they can come into the playoffs as a six-seed and be successful in the playoffs. They’ve been successful because of consistent play from quarterback Mark Sanchez. In Sanchez’s two years in the NFL, he has six playoff games and a 4-2 record. In those six games, he has nine touchdown passes to only three interceptions.  

If Houston had a healthy Matt Schuab, they would have a great chance at making the Super Bowl. However, this talented team will have to wait until next year to make a deep run in the playoffs. 

Denver Broncos 

The Broncos have a lot of potential behind Tim Tebow. However, when they are put against a playoff contender, they struggle. Now, they did defeat the Jets in Denver with Tebow; however, against two other playoff teams in Detroit and New England, they were outscored 86-33. 

The Broncos will see the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh will bring the NFL’s best passing defense against one of the worst statistical quarterbacks in Tebow.  

The Steelers will force the Broncos into playing catch-up late in the game. This does not play into Denver’s strategy of keeping the game within 10 points and letting Tebow come back in the fourth quarter. 

Detroit Lions 

Detroit will a return to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. However, they will not see their first playoff win since the 1991 season.  

This Lions team has a great passing game. However, they take a lot of stupid penalties, which will be the reason why lose in the first round to the New Orleans Saints. 

When these two teams met a few weeks ago, the Saints were able to force Detroit to play undisciplined football, which resulted in 11 penalties for 107 yards. In a playoff atmosphere, which the Saints are accustomed to playing in and the Lions are not, New Orleans will be able to keep their heads on straight while running up the score again. 

When these teams lose in the playoffs, it should not be looked as a disappointing season. They had a great regular season and have a good team that have bright futures. 

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