It might have seemed like an impossible scenario when the season began, but the Houston Texans have scratched and clawed their way back to make it a wide-open race. Thanks to a defense that has stifled opponents at an unprecedented rate, they are right there in the race for a playoff spot.
Moreover, at 7-5, they are inches away from the top teams in the AFC South, despite the seemingly insurmountable lead that the Indianapolis Colts had built over them. With five weeks remaining on the schedule, we break down the chances they have of making it to the playoffs for the third consecutive season, or even winning their division outright.
Can the Texans Continue Their Turnaround to the Playoffs?
Starting the season 0-3, including a loss at the hands of divisional opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars, it seemed like the lack of a competent offensive line was finally going to catch up to Houston.
As they tried to battle their way back to 3-5, any hopes were vanquished when C.J. Stroud went down with an injury that ultimately kept him out for three weeks. But thanks to the number one-ranked defense on PFSN’s Defense Impact, the Texans were able to go on a four-game winning streak.
Now, they stand just a tick behind the Jaguars and the Colts, who are both at 8-4. But the division, or the playoffs as a whole, don’t look too far away from them, especially with a game against the Colts still on their schedule.
Add in a fractured fibula to Daniel Jones, severely limiting Indianapolis’ chances, and the Texans have an opportunity to take advantage of a full-blown collapse from their divisional rivals to secure a spot for themselves in the postseason.
PFSN’s Playoff Predictor also agrees with that logic, as Houston sits at 64.80% to make the playoffs, with the division not out of sight at 24.80%. Taking into account each team’s level of play and the remaining strength of their schedule, the tool gauges how the rest of the season is likely to unfold.
Despite the offense failing to set the world on fire, the team has a very good chance of securing a spot in the playoff bracket in the coming weeks, with a game against the City Chiefs, who have a banged-up offensive line, presenting the perfect opportunity for their ferocious defense to shine.
The offensive deficiencies might limit the ceiling for this team, but as far as a playoff threat is concerned, the Texans have proven over the last month that they are as capable as any other team in the AFC race.