Is anyone truly giving the Houston Texans a chance to win the Super Bowl in 2024?
Better yet, is anyone trusting Houston to get out of the wild-card round against the Los Angeles Chargers?
The Texans (10-7) might play host to the AFC West franchise, but Vegas has Los Angeles (11-6) as a 3-point favorite entering Saturday’s showdown. Headlined by Jim Harbaugh, Justin Hebert and a revamped defense, the Bolts remain a dark horse to run the table in the conference with a legitimate shot a winning the whole thing.
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But everything starts with the Texans, who gained a spark back last week against the Tennessee Titans in a 9-point road win. All-time, Houston is 5-2 in wild-card round matchups, including winning in last year’s showdown, 45-14, against the Cleveland Browns.
That hasn’t stopped the mainstream media from making the Texans the punchline of every playoff segment. Here’s some of the highlights from ESPN, Fox Sports, and other major outlets giving their thoughts on the Texans shouldn’t bother showing up.
ESPN’s Rex Ryan
Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan talks with a official before a game against the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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Former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL former player and prospect captain Matt Hasselbeck talks with Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (QB07) between drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network visits the SiriusXM set at Super Bowl 50 Radio Row at the Moscone Center on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth and Kevin Clark
Jan 31, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth speaks during the NFL players association press conference in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII at the New Orleans Convention Center. Super Bowl XLVII will be played between the San Francisco 49ers on February 3, 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck
Ensworth Head Coach Tim Hasselbeck illustrates how a Lipscomb Academy player pushed his receiver out of bounds on a deep pass during their game at Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
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Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons
Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) reacts during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans
Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans coaches against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Playoffs: Is anyone giving the Texans a chance beat the Chargers?