NFL playoffs bracket 2017: Texans’ defense carries them to Divisional Round

Houston beat the Raiders, 27-14.

Jan 8, 2017, 12:55 AM UTC

NFL: AFC Wild Card-Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.

The Houston Texans will advance to the divisional round after dispatching the Oakland Raiders 27-14 in the wild card round on Saturday.

The Raiders struggled offensively with Connor Cook starting in place of an injured Matt McGloin. Oakland’s first string quarterback, Derek Carr, is sidelined with a broken fibula, and the Raiders’ offensive success prior to his injury can be largely attributed to Carr. Oakland’s offense looked completely incapable without Carr, and it led to the Raiders’ elimination from the playoffs.

Houston’s defense looked dominant throughout, and Brock Osweiler was able to do just enough on offense to get the win. Osweiler completed just 14 of 25 passes for 168 yards, but did throw one touchdown pass. He also ran in a 1-yard touchdown, and Lamar Miller added a score on the ground, as well.

Cook tried to lead a rally in the fourth quarter, executing an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but it wasn’t enough for Oakland. Cook finished the game having completed 18 of 45 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, and Houston managed to sack him three times.

The Texans will face either the Patriots or the Chiefs next week in divisional play, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins. The Patriots will welcome the lowest remaining seed to Gillette Field, and the Chiefs will face the highest remaining seed.

Next up in wild card action, the Seahawks welcome the Detroit Lions to Seattle. The last time these two teams faced off, the game ended with a Seahawks win after linebacker K.J. Wright illegally batted the ball out of the end zone.

The winner of that game will face either the Dallas Cowboys or the Atlanta Falcons next week in the Divisional Round, depending on what happens between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Sunday’s schedule features the Steelers against the Dolphins, with Matt Moore getting the start for the Dolphins while Ryan Tannehill remains sidelined with a knee injury. In the NFC, the Giants will travel to chilly Lambeau Field to face the red-hot Packers.