Here’s Week 14’s edition of which games we want to go which way.

Game by Game

• Patriots @ Steelers: Patriots

Reasoning: Steelers remain strong Wildcard contenders. We need them to get some losses. A Steelers loss + a Texans win OR a Colts loss would place the Texans in a wildcard spot.

• Bucs @ Falcons: Bucs

Reasoning: Strength of Victory tiebreaker boost. Low priority.

• Colts @ Bengals: Bengals

Reasoning: Thanks to the Titans blowing it in Week 13, the Colts remain in the position of having a leg up on us in both the Division race and Wildcard race. Any chance to get ahead of them in record would be huge. A Colts loss + a Texans win would place the Texans in a wildcard spot.

• Jags @ Browns: WIN/WIN

Reasoning: A Jaguars win would knock down an AFC Wildcard contender. A Browns win would knock down the AFC South division leader. If we consider the impact on Draft pick, the Browns losing may be the more preferred outcome.

• Rams @ Ravens: Rams

Reasoning: Ravens are an AFC Playoff team, a loss from them helps the Texans climb the rankings.

• Lions @ Bears: Irrelevant

Reasoning: 2 NFC Teams not on our schedule. Close to 0 impact to playoff tiebreakers.

• Panthers @ Saints: Saints

Reasoning: Strength of Victory tiebreaker boost. Low priority.

• Vikings @ Raiders: Vikings

Reasoning: Raiders are technically AFC Wildcard contenders. A loss for them boosts the Texans playoff chances.

• Seahawks @ 49ers: Irrelevant

Reasoning: 2 NFC Teams not on our schedule. Close to 0 impact to playoff tiebreakers.

• Bills @ Chiefs: WIN/WIN, lean towards Chiefs

Reasoning: A Bills loss knocks down a Wildcard contender, a Chiefs loss knocks down a likely division winner. I lean towards wanting a Bills loss here, as I think it’s far more likely they compete with us for a Wildcard than it is for the Chiefs to drop below us in Playoff seeding.

• Broncos @ Chargers: Chargers

Reasoning: The Texans benefit from either team losing, as both are in contention for a wildcard spot. However, the Chargers have the worse record, so the Texans are in much better shape if both teams come out of the game 6-7.

• Eagles @ Cowboys: Eagles

Reasoning: You know why. (That being said, this is 2 NFC Teams not on our schedule. Close to 0 impact to playoff tiebreakers)

• Packers @ 49ers: Irrelevant

Reasoning: 2 NFC Teams not on our schedule. Close to 0 impact to playoff tiebreakers.

• Titans @ Dolphins: WIN/WIN, lean towards Dolphins

Reasoning: A Titans loss would all but eliminate their chances at Playoffs. That being said, playoffs are not likely for them regardless, and a Dolphins loss helps bring down another AFC Playoff team for seeding.

Most Critical Games

• Patriots over Steelers
• Bengals over Colts
• Jaguars @ Browns (win/win game, but will make either the AFC South or a Wildcard spot easier to claim depending on the result)
• Chargers over Broncos

Recommended Football Viewing Schedule

Thursday Night: Patriots @ Steelers

Sunday at Noon: Texans @ Jets

Sunday Afternoon: Broncos @ Chargers

Monday Evening: Titans @ Dolphins