The Houston Texans are back in the playoffs.
With a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins, plus a Denver Broncos' victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans have punched their ticket to the postseason as AFC South champions for a second straight season.
"Clinching the AFC South is huge for us. Great accomplishment by all of our guys," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "It's always our goal. You want to make it in the postseason, you have to win your division, it starts there. And so, we're just thankful for everyone who played a part in us reaching a first step of our goal and that's getting in. Credit to all of our guys and the work that they've put in, the way they played yesterday was just outstanding to see them play that way, play complementary football and find a way to win games. And so, very proud of our guys and proud to win the AFC South."
Sitting with a division title, does that mean Houston would get a bye in the AFC playoff? Right now, no. The Texans would technically be the lowest seed among division winners should the season end on Sunday. They would host a playoff game against the top-seeded wild-card roster, which appears to be the runner-up of the AFC West.
Currently, the Texans' average position moved from 12.9 to 108, showing just how much respect Houston still has among those in power of the mouse and keys.
Here's how the major media outlets power ranked the Texans entering Week 16.
USA Today
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. (97) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
USA Today link:
Week 15 Ranking: 15
Last Week Ranking: 14
Summary: "RB Joe Mixon has averaged fewer than 2 yards per carry in three of the past five games - with 51 attempts spread over those three contests. Just another reason that it's hard to believe the two-time-defending AFC South champs will do much damage in January" - Nate Davis
ESPN
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) celebrates with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) after making an interception during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
ESPN link:
Week 16 Ranking: 9
Last Week Ranking: 11
Summary: "The Texans had three interceptions through the first five weeks, which was middle of the pack. They have now led the NFL with 16 since Week 6. They caught eight interceptions combined against quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (three) and Jared Goff (five), who both had only four interceptions entering their matchup against Houston. The Texans have 19 interceptions on the season, second only to the Vikings (20)." -- DJ Bien-Aime
NFL.com
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and wide receiver John Metchie III (8) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
NFL.com link:
Week 15 Ranking: 12
Last Week Ranking: 12
Summary: "The run game has seemingly been a boom-or-bust component this season, and Sunday was the latter, as Joe Mixon was bottled up. The two longest runs came from Dare Ogunbowale on a fake punt and Tank Dell on an end-around. Nonetheless, the fake was a huge momentum-turner, and the defense took care of business by forcing four Tua Tagovailoa turnovers (say that five times fast). That was enough to hold off a desperate Dolphins team and clinch the AFC South title. That means a home playoff game, but ideally, the Texans would try to keep winning to avoid the No. 4 seed, which would currently pit them against the Ravens in the opening round. The problem is, the Texans go to Kansas City and then host Baltimore in the next two games. Not only can they not afford to take the foot off the gas, but the road is a pretty darned tough one." - Eric Edholm
CBS Sports
Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
CBS Sports link:
Week 16 Ranking: 14
Last Week Ranking: 15
Summary: "They have clinched the AFC South, but the next three weeks have to be about getting right for the playoffs. It's still not like we expected so far for their offense."- Pete Prisco
ProFootballTalk
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; The Houston Texans defense huddles against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
ProFootballTalk link:
Week 16 Ranking: 12
Last Week Ranking: 14
Summary: "With the Chiefs and Ravens coming up, we'll find out if they're ready to win games they're supposed to lose."- Mike Florio
Bleacher Report
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans celebrates Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward (20) (not pictured) defensive play against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Bleacher Report link:
Week 16 Ranking: 9
Last Week Ranking: 12
Summary: " With Sunday's victory over the Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Denver Broncos, the Texans are now back-to-back AFC South champions. Interestingly, the latest outcome wasn't defined by C.J. Stroud or any of the talented skill positions performers on Houston's roster. Instead, the defense really came to play and clinched the victory, with two fourth-quarter interceptions by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. The Texans now field the league's fourth-best defense, which can play complementary football and potentially propel the entire squad." -- Brent Sobleski
Yahoo! Sports
Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Yahoo! Sports link:
Week 16 Ranking: 14
Last Week Ranking: 15
Summary: "The Texans look like the worst of the division winners, assuming Tampa Bay wins the NFC South. Houston had 181 yards at home against the Dolphins on Sunday. The defense came up with some huge turnovers for the win, but the Texans still haven't been impressive all season."- Frank Schwab
The Sporting News
Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) reacts after making a first down during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Sporting News link:
Week 16 Ranking: 10
Last Week Ranking: 13
Summary: "The Texans needed a feel-good game for C.J. Stroud and for the defense to have a post-bye confidence builder. They will continue to work to be more dangerous in the playoffs" - Vinnie Iyer
Texans Wire
Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. (98) reacts after a sack during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Texans Wire link:
Week 16 Ranking: 10
Last Week Ranking: 12
Summary: "An eight-point win and four forced turnovers over the hottest offense in the league? The Texans have rebounded nicely with wins over the Jaguars and Dolphins. Now, it's time to see if the AFC South champions can compete with the faces of the conferences in Kansas City and Baltimore on short rest." - Cole Thompson
The Athletic
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) is tackled by Tennessee Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (56) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Athletic Link:
Week 16 Ranking: 12
Last Week Ranking: 12
FOX Sports
Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts after a first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
FOX Sports link:
Week 16 Ranking: 14
Last Week Ranking: 15
Summary: "Maybe we've just got to accept that the Texans' path to success does not run through their offense this season. Houston's pass rush and secondary might be good enough to spur them on a run -- provided the offense doesn't get in the way." - Dave Helman
The Ringer
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Joshua Kelley (25) is tackled by Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward (20) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Ringer link:
Week 16 Ranking: 9
Last Week Ranking: 11
Summary: "Interceptions aren't the end-all in debates about who should be considered the top cornerback, but the guys with elite ball skills certainly deserve a boost in any defensive back rankings. Derek Stingley Jr. is that kind of cornerback, with five picks and 17 passes broken up on the season. Since his star turn as a freshman on the historic 2019 LSU team, football fans have wondered: Could he be that same kind of playmaking savant at the highest level? His two-interception day against the Dolphins on Sunday helps answer that question with a resounding "yes." Don't be surprised if quarterbacks give up on testing him in coverage after this season" - Diante Lee
List Wire
Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) and quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
List Wire link:
Week 16 Ranking: 9
Last Week Ranking: 10
Summary: "The Texans handled the Dolphins. Next up are the Kansas City Chiefs. Could Houston catch a break and see Patrick Homes not be 100%, or even unable to go? A huge game, regardless."- Barry Werner