Week 17's NFL slate features several crucial contests, but none may be more important than Saturday's game between the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers.
Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the AFC, making this matchup pivotal for seeding. The Texans and Chargers are also still in the hunt for their respective division titles, meaning a loss could be costly.
This game is a rematch of last year's wild-card round, when the Texans dominated the Chargers in Houston. This time, Los Angeles hosts Houston and aims for a better outcome.
Here's a look at how the Texans-Chargers result could impact the AFC playoff race.
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AFC playoff picture
Entering the weekend, five AFC teams have clinched playoff spots, including the Chargers, while four teams remain in contention for the final two berths. Both the Chargers and Texans are still vying for their division titles, but the loser on Saturday will put themselves in a tough position.
The Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens are also still alive for the playoffs. The Colts can only earn a wild-card spot, while the Ravens can only win the AFC North. Both teams must win their final two games and get help elsewhere to advance.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Denver Broncos* | 13-3 |
| 2. | New England Patriots* | 12-3 |
| 3. | Jacksonville Jaguars* | 11-4 |
| 4. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-6 |
| 5. | Los Angeles Chargers* | 11-4 |
| 6. | Buffalo Bills* | 11-4 |
| 7. | Houston Texans | 10-5 |
| 8. | Indianapolis Colts | 8-7 |
| 9. | Baltimore Ravens | 7-8 |
| 10. | Miami Dolphins | 6-9 |
| 11. | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-10 |
| 12. | Cincinnati Bengals | 5-10 |
| 13. | New York Jets | 3-12 |
| 14. | Tennessee Titans | 3-12 |
| 15. | Cleveland Browns | 3-12 |
| 16. | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-13 |
*Clinched playoff spot*
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AFC wild-card standings
Since no AFC team has clinched the division yet, any of them can end up in one of the three wild-cad spots. Among the teams not in a playoff spot this week, only the Indianapolis Colts are still eligible to unseat the Texans for the final wild card.
The Ravens, who are also still alive in playoff contention, are ineligible to earn a wild card this season.
Division leaders
- West: Denver Broncos (13-3)
- East: New England Patriots (12-3)
- South: Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
- North: Pittsburgh Steelers: (9-6)
Wild Card
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Houston Texans (10-5)
In the hunt
- Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
AFC West standings
With the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders both eliminated from playoff contention, only the Chargers and Denver Broncos can win the division. Los Angeles needs to win both of its remaining games, while the Broncos already won this week to earn the upper hand.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Denver Broncos | 13-3 |
| 2. | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-4 |
| 3. | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-10 |
| 4. | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-13 |
AFC South standings
Like the AFC West, only two teams are still in play to win the AFC South. The Jaguars currently have a one-game lead over the Texans, but Houston has the tiebreaker over Jacksonville, making the final two weeks crucial.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 11-4 |
| 2. | Houston Texans | 10-5 |
| 3. | Indianapolis Colts | 8-7 |
| 4. | Tennessee Titans | 3-12 |
Texans remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| 12/27 | @ Chargers | 4:30 p.m. | NFL Network |
| TBD | vs. Colts | TBD | TBD |
If the Texans lose to the Chargers on Saturday, and the Colts beat the Jaguars on Sunday, then the Week 18 game between Houston and Indianapolis will be for the final wild-card spot in the AFC.
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Chargers remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| 12/27 | vs. Texans | 4:30 p.m. | NFL Network |
| TBD | @ Broncos | TBD | TBD |
The Chargers need to beat the Texans in Week 17 to stay alive in the AFC West race. If Los Angeles does win, then the Week 18 game against the Broncos will decide the AFC West winner.