The Houston Texans winning the AFC South for the second year in a row, fourth time in five seasons, and sixth time in the decade didn’t help their cause to move up in the power rankings.
According to Pat Yasinskas of the Touchdown Wire, the Texans stayed put at No. 10, just a slot below the Minnesota Vikings, who blew their chance to win the NFC North with a 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football at home.
The Texans won the AFC South for the fourth time in five years, but there shouldn’t be too much celebrating. Let’s be honest. The Texans aren’t a team that scares any of the other AFC playoff teams right now. Houston beat the Buccaneers on Saturday, but they struggled mightily in doing so. Tampa Bay tried to give the game away early with three interceptions in the first half. But the Texans allowed Tampa Bay back into the game and allowed Jameis Winston to throw for 335 yards. The Texans are hoping pass-rusher J.J. Watt will be healthy enough to return for the playoffs. That would be a big boost for the defense. But the offense’s performance against Tampa Bay leaves real concerns. Despite five Bucs turnovers, Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson managed just 184 passing yards and no touchdowns, and the running game never got on track. If the Texans are going to do any damage in the postseason, they need to play much better than they did against Tampa Bay.
The Texans will have one more week to move up in the power rankings as they take on the Tennessee Titans in the season finale at NRG Stadium. It remains to be seen how competitive Houston is in the ballgame as the results do not materially affect their ability to obtain a first-round bye; they will be stuck playing during Jan. 4-5 wild-card weekend whether they are the No. 3 or No. 4 seed. It may be wiser to rest their top players, take the L, and get ready for a do-or-die game at NRG Stadium next week.
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