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How the Houston Texans can win the AFC South

Brandon Weeden and the Texans are in the driver's seat to win their first AFC South crown since 2012. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans are inching closer and closer to their first playoff berth and division title since 2012.

The Texans are 7-7 right now and the Colts are 6-8. Indianapolis' remaining opponents are the Dolphins and Titans, while the Texans play the Titans and Jaguars.

If the Texans win at least once and the Colts lose once -- or if the Texans win both or the Colts lose both -- Houston will win the division outright without a need for tiebreakers.

If the Texans and Colts both finish 8-8, they will be tied in overall record, division record, conference record and record against common opponents -- the first four tiebreakers. The next tiebreaker is strength of victory.

The Texans can clinch the division on Sunday and they can also clinch the strength-of-victory tiebreaker.

Here's how, based on the NFL's calculations:

The Texans can clinch the AFC South if one of the following happens:

  • Houston beats Tennessee and Indianapolis loses to or ties Miami.

  • Houston ties Tennessee and Indianapolis loses to Miami.

  • Houston wins and then clinches the strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Colts.

The Texans can clinch the strength-of-victory tiebreaker if one of the following happens:

  • The Bengals beat the Broncos and either the Saints beat the Jaguars, the Jets beat the Patriots or the Panthers beat the Falcons.

  • The Saints, Jets and Panthers all win.