NFL Playoffs 2018: New England Patriots, Houston Texans Fighting For AFC's Second Bye

The Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints are almost assured to get the top two seeds in the NFC. The Kansas City Chiefs are in the driver’s seat for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. What about the conference’s second first-round bye?

A lot can happen over the final four weeks of the 2018 NFL season, but it looks like the second bye will come down to the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. Both teams are tied with a 9-3 record, putting them a game behind the Chiefs.

New England owns the tiebreaker because of their win over Houston at Gillette Stadium in Week 1. The Texans might have the edge for the No.2 seed, however, because of their remaining schedule.

Houston doesn’t face a team that’s currently in the playoffs or above .500 for the rest of the season. Their best opponent comes next week when they face the 6-6 Indianapolis Colts in a game that could give them the AFC South title. Following a two-game road trip against the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, Houston will host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Patriots will be heavy favorites in three of their remaining four games. New England will visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 14, in addition to hosting the Buffalo Bills and Jets in the final two weeks of the season. The Patriots will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15.

Pittsburgh leads the AFC North, and they are 1.5 games behind New England and Houston. The Los Angeles Chargers are also 9-3, but they are likely headed for the AFC’s No.5 seed with Kansas City leading the division.

If the Patriots and Chiefs end the season with the same record, New England will get the No.1 seed. They defeated Kansas City at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 14.

The Texans are on a nine-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3.