Tag: AFC South division

Texans clinch second-consecutive AFC South title thanks to help from Broncos

The Houston Texans are going back to the playoffs!!!

The Houston Texans are headed back to the playoffs.

With the Denver Broncos securing a victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday evening, the Texans have clinched the AFC South for a second consecutive season.

Houston (9-5) defeated the Miami Dolphins, 20-12, on Sunday afternoon to put itself in position to clinch. Even if the Colts (6-8) were to finish with the same record to close out 2024, the Texans hold the head-to-head wins, thus giving them the advantage.

The Texans’ offense scored two touchdowns on passes from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins to take a 20-6 lead midway through the third quarter. Tua Tagovailoa brought Miami within eight points, but his four turnovers, including two interceptions to Derek Stingley Jr., were too much to overcome.

Denver’s defense forced five turnovers, including a 50-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Nik Bonitto with 12:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. While rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw three interceptions, Anthony Richardson threw two, including one in the red zone on a potential game-tying scoring drive.

The Texans might have a playoff berth, but the seeding remains a mystery. If the season were to end today, Houston would play the Baltimore Ravens, who still remain the highest-ranked wild-card team entering Week 16.

Houston could go as high as the No. 2 seed in the conference should it win its final three games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Ravens and Tennessee Titans. At 12-5, everything would be based on tiebreakers.

The Texans would own tiebreakers over both Kansas City and Baltimore should each win the division. Houston also holds the tiebreaker over the Buffalo Bills following its Week 5 win at NRG Stadium.

Entering the evening games, the Texans weren’t paying attention to the outcome of Sunday’s contest in Denver. At least that’s what the locker room said.

Even if that’s a lie, it’s a double victory Monday when players enter the locker room for a short week of practice.

The Texans will face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, December 21. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT and will be nationally televised on NBC.