A small piece of the AFC playoff picture that also came to form in Week 17 was the New England Patriots officially claiming the AFC East with a dominating win over the New York Jets, and forcing the Buffalo Bills into the Wild Card round after winning the division for five straight years.

The Texans have now made the playoffs in all three seasons with coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Houston made big plays on offense and defense in first quarter and again down stretch to beat Los Angeles Chargers and clinch playoff spot.

There’s a compounding factor of bad punts that aren’t readily apparent. The defense bailed Scott out twice by holding the Texans to field goals. But the cost was steep, as fatigue, wear and tear and more from constantly battling in terrible field position takes a toll on a defense.

Former NFL referee Walt Anderson explains why controversial Chargers penalty that led to Texans' Week 17 was the right call

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Follow along with Texans Wire from the first whistle until last snap from SoFi Stadium as the Texans look to clinch a playoff spot over the Chargers