BEATING THE ODDS?

The Texans have a 2.8 percent chance of making the playoffs. Let's put that in context

Are the odds in the Texans favor? Twitter.com

Let’s take a break from bashing Bill O’Brien and take an honest look at what lies ahead for the Texans after an 0-3 start.

The most optimistic fan will say they can still turn it around and make the playoffs. A favorable schedule awaits. But let’s take a look at history.

We will go back as far as 1980 for the sample size. In that time, 173 teams have started the season 0-3. Five have made the playoffs. That is 2.8 percent. The last team to do it was 20 years ago with the 1998 Buffalo Bills.

There’s always the “so you’re saying there’s a chance” when it comes to that 2.8 percent number. So let’s look at some other things that are 2.8 percent or close to that number:

Miller64 beer is exactly 2.8 percent alcohol by volume. So if you like that 2.8 number, hoist a Miller64.

Let’s go to poker. The Texans have a better chance of making the playoffs than you do of making quads on the river when your opponent has an overset. So for instance, you hold KK, your opponent has AA. The flop is A-K-Q and the turn is an 8. You win with a king. Your odds? 2.27 percent. So the Texans have that beat.

You have a 0.154 percent chance of being hit by a train. So the Texans have that beat, too.

The odds of dying in a car crash? Just 1 percent. Again, win Texans.

Finally, you have a 2 percent chance of being smart enough to join MENSA. Yay Texans! (O’Brien not so much).

The not so good?

It is four times more likely to snow in Houston than it is for the Texans to make the playoffs.

You have a better chance of being told to “Come on down” on The Price is Right - just over 3 percent.

If you are on death row, you are 10 times more likely to be married than the Texans are to seeing the postseason.

The odds you are having sex every day? 6.0 percent! Yay you! That last one gives the old married contingent some hope, if not the Texans.

Finally, you have a 4 percent chance of being a golf fan, and Tiger Woods just did something the Texans have yet to do -- win. So at least YOU can celebrate.

As for Texans fans, however, the odds may not be forever in your favor.

(Statistics accrued from various research - i.e. Internet searches. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Then again, neither are Texans wins. Also, tip of the cap to Jong Lee for finding the original 5 in 173 number). 

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After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.

However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.

So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!

For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.

With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?

DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith

Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.

Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!

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