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NFL Playoff scenarios 2013: Houston hosts Cincinnati, trip to Foxboro on the line

The Houston Texans are the No. 3 seed in the AFC, and will host at least one playoff game.

USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Houston Texans fell from grace in the AFC, they're still in the playoffs -- and are the AFC South's champion for the second consecutive year.

Unfortunately for the Texans and Texans fans, Houston did not earn a bye week, despite finishing with a 12-4 record. Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to the same record, and since New England defeated Houston, the Patriots are awarded the AFC's No. 2 seed.

Instead, the Texans are the No. 3 seed, and will play host to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. If the Texans win, they'll travel back to Foxboro, Mass., for a rematch against Bill Belichick's Patriots.

Though it's a longshot, Houston still can host the AFC title game. If the Texans defeat both the Bengals and Patriots, and the winner of the Ravens-Colts game defeats the Denver Broncos, then the Texans would host either the Ravens or Colts for the right to head to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

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