The Houston Texans have not yet one the 2019 crown of the AFC South. However, with their 24-21 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, they are getting close. They need a win or a Titans loss to clinch the division for the fourth time in five seasons.
Winning the AFC South division is no longer the Texans’ goal, according to safety Justin Reid. They have been there and done that. Last season, they won it, only to lose in the AFC wildcard round to the Indianapolis Colts.
“The last couple of years the Texans have dominated the AFC South and now our goal is past that,” Reid said postgame. “Of course we want to clinch the division, it’s the first step. We have to go out and beat Tampa and officially win the division and then get prepared to start making that run.”
Making a playoff run is in Houston’s mind. Winning the division just helps.
The Texans can win the division on Saturday, against the 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite quarterback Jameis Winston’s league-leading 24 interceptions, coach Bruce Arians has them on a three-game win streak.
The Buccaneers are likely to be without two of their top playmakers. Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans is out for the season with a hamstring. His sidekick Chris Godwin, who has 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns, isn’t expected to play, as he ended his last game on a cart via a hamstring injury.
If the Texans can’t beat the Buccaneers and the Titans defeat the New Orleans Saints, Houston would have to win the division at home in Week 17. In theoretically doing so, they would have a 9-7 record, good for fourth in the playoff standings.
The Texans currently sit at the AFC’s fourth-seed, behind the 10-4 Kansas City Chiefs. If the Chiefs were to drop one of their next two and if Houston wins out, the Texans would be looking at a third seed to start Reid’s desired playoff run.