Despite a strong finish and an AFC South title, the Houston Texans face harsh criticism as they prepare to battle the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round. Can they defy expectations?
The Houston Texans are heading into the NFL playoffs with momentum after a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in their regular-season finale. With a 10-7 record and a second consecutive AFC South title under their belts, you’d think the Texans might command some respect. But according to Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News, Houston ranks dead last among the 14 playoff teams—a stinging indictment as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
Criticism rooted in inconsistency
Iyer didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Texans’ season.
“The Texans have been on cruise control for a repeat AFC South title for a while and weren’t challenged at all in their division,” Iyer wrote. “They got an early key win vs. the Bills, but lost to the Vikings, Packers, Lions, Chiefs, and Ravens, making them 1-5 against playoff teams. They have battled injuries and inconsistency, and drawing the relentless, road-tested Chargers first is rough.”
It’s a tough but not entirely unfair critique. The Texans stumbled to a 4-5 finish over their final nine games, and the loss of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to season-ending injuries has left their offense shorthanded at the worst possible time.
High hopes, unmet expectations
Houston entered 2024 with significant buzz after an ambitious offseason that saw the additions of Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon, and Danielle Hunter. But while those moves elevated expectations, the team struggled to meet them. Health issues played a significant role, but so did the sophomore slump of quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Stroud, who dazzled in his rookie campaign, faced growing pains throughout the season, which contributed to the team’s struggles against tougher competition. Houston went just 1-5 against playoff teams, raising doubts about their ability to compete against elite opponents.
Is there a path forward?
While the AFC playoff field may not be as daunting as in previous years, the Texans face a brutal Wild Card matchup against the Chargers, a team renowned for its defensive prowess and playoff resilience. The Texans’ chances will hinge on Stroud’s ability to rediscover his form and the team’s depleted offense finding creative ways to exploit the Chargers’ defense.
Defensively, the Texans will need to lean heavily on Danielle Hunter and their pass rush to disrupt Justin Herbert, a task easier said than done.
Underdogs with a chip on their shoulder
The Texans have been counted out before, and they’ll need to channel that underdog mentality if they hope to prove doubters wrong. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has preached resilience all season, and now is the time for Houston to show it.
While the odds may not be in their favor, playoff football has a way of defying expectations. If Stroud can rise to the occasion and the defense can step up, the Texans might just have a chance to shock the NFL world.