Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Round
Weve got another week of the Power Rankings! I have to admit, I wrote last weeks power rankings article thinking it was going to be my last of the season. Being underdogs at home and welcoming in ared-hot Los Angeles Chargers team did dull my optimism in the days preceding that game, and boy, was I wrong! The Houston Texans completely silenced the Chargers offense, sacked quarterback Justin Herbert four times, and nabbed FOUR interceptions off of him during their wildcard game. Their offense Kurt Hinish Jersey, albeit dormant in the first quarter, woke up following an incredible play made by Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, throwing deep downfield to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson while scrambling away from pressure to convert a third & 16. This play couldve been ripped directly out of Strouds rookie highlight-reel, and it was exactly what Houston needed to get back in the game. A few targets to Nico Collins later, and Houston had taken the lead 7-6, a lead they would never give up thanks to their PLAY. This gave the #Texans the spark they needed - on a 3rd & 16, Stroud & Hutchinson make magic happen. , this Texans team has instead won over and over again thanks to a smothering, ball hawk defense. The young guns of the defense have leapt into the upper-echelon of NFL defenses, silencing all doubters of their abilities with a dominant performance on Wildcard Weekend. Im sure some in Kansas City originally looked upon this rematch with the Texans favorably, but after seeing this defense, I bet theyre feeling a pit of anxiety begin to stir in their bellies. Heres where the Houston Texans are ranked entering the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs::8. Houston TexansFor the second year in a row, DeMeco Ryans Texans delivered an upset on Wild Card Weekend, prevailing with another fine defensive showing. Houstons D played admirably on Saturday Derek Barnett Jersey, buoying the team early while the offense got its footing. Its strange that a muffed shotgun snap deep in the Texans own territory on third-and-16 would be the play that jarred them out of their offensive slumber. But after that ad-libbed 34-yard gain, C.J. Stroud was about as good as hed been for the past monthThe Texans defense is good. It was sixth in EPA allowed per play and fourth in success rate allowed in the regular season. Saturdays performance in shutting down the Chargers was nearly perfect and far beyond Houstons normal level. Can the Texans replicate that on the road against the Chiefs?- Frank SchwabUSA TODAY:8. Houston Texansand 0-5 on the road in postseason.- Nate DavisAVERAGE RANKING: 8Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Yep, no surprises here! Even though the Texans dominated a team that many had ranked in the top ten, they werent going to get any favors coming into arguably the biggest weekend in football that isnt the Super Bowl. Although, it is satisfying to see how far all the pundits had to launch the Texans up their power rankings to compensate for this upset victory. Take that, power rankers!Theyd have to lunch the Texans up several spots again, as well, if Houston is able to slay Goliath on Saturday. Virtually nobody is giving Houston a chance against the Chiefs, who have only lost one game with their starters this year. This will be their greatest challenge yet to go where no Texans team has gone before - but DeMeco Ryans can do it. C.J. Stroud can do it, Nico Collins can do it, Will Anderson Jr. can do it, Danielle Hunter can do it, Derek Stingley Jr. can do it, and Kamari Lassiter can do it, too! Pin up this station-to-station Chiefs offense against the monsters Houston has absorbed the last three years, and I kinda like our chances! In fact, I welcome the Chiefs to try this Texans defense. Despite the inconsistencies that have defined this Texans season, the defense has remained stalwart against all opponents , forcing passing offenses into terrible throws, interceptions Dalton Keene Jersey, and sacks. Patrick Mahomes may have the Holy Arm, but the Texans flourish under the Davis moniker, and I predict another Saturday, 3:30 PM playoff game will once again go Houstons TEXANS!!!!