Yes, the Texans Are for Real - and Their Defense Is Leading the Charge
It’s time to stop tiptoeing around it: the Houston Texans are not just a good story - they’re a real threat in the AFC. And while the offense has had its share of ups and downs this season, it's the defense that’s quietly built a case as one of the league’s elite units.
Let’s start with the numbers: Houston is allowing just 265.7 total yards per game, the lowest mark in the NFL heading into Week 14. That’s not a product of an easy schedule - they’ve held playoff-caliber teams like the Bills, Colts, and Rams to under 20 points. That kind of consistency on defense doesn’t just keep you in games - it gives you a chance to win them, even when your offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
Injuries have certainly played a role in Houston’s offensive struggles this season, with several key starters missing time. But when you’ve got a defense that can clamp down like this one, you don’t need to light up the scoreboard every week. You just need to stay in the fight - and the Texans have done that better than most.
Now comes the real test: a Sunday Night Football showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Slowing down one of the greatest quarterbacks of this era is no small task, but if there’s a defense up to the challenge right now, it’s Houston’s.
The Playoff Picture: Texans on the Bubble, But in Control
After a gritty Week 13 win over the Colts, the Texans sit at 7-5 - good for the No. 8 spot in the AFC standings. That puts them just outside the playoff cutline, but firmly in the mix with a 63% chance to make the postseason.
The matchup with Kansas City is more than just a primetime spotlight - it’s a pivotal moment for both teams. A win would keep Houston’s playoff destiny in their own hands.
A loss? That could mean scoreboard-watching the rest of the way, hoping for help from around the league.
Realistically, the Texans can only afford one more loss the rest of the way if they want to control their own fate. Any more than that, and they’ll be relying on tiebreakers and late-season chaos to sneak into the postseason.
One game Texans fans should circle on the schedule - other than their own - is the Jaguars vs. Colts matchup.
With all three teams battling for AFC South supremacy, someone is guaranteed to take a step back. That’s a win for Houston, no matter the outcome.
Here’s how the AFC playoff race stacks up right now:
AFC Standings (Top 10)
1.
New England Patriots (11-2)
2.
Denver Broncos (10-2)
3.
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
4.
Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
5.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
6.
Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
7.
Buffalo Bills (8-4)
8.
Houston Texans (7-5)
9.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
10.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
The Road Ahead: A Path That Gets Tougher Late
Looking at the Texans’ remaining schedule, there’s a clear opportunity to make a run - but also a clear warning: finish strong, or risk falling short.
After this week’s clash with the Chiefs, Houston gets two matchups that play right into their defensive strengths. The Raiders and Cardinals simply don’t have the offensive firepower to go toe-to-toe with a defense this disciplined and aggressive. Those are games the Texans should win - and they’ll need to if they want to keep pace in the AFC.
But the final two weeks? That’s where things could get wild.
A road trip to face the Chargers in Week 17 is no gimme, especially with playoff implications likely on the line. And then there’s Week 18 - a potential winner-take-all showdown with the Colts that could decide the AFC South.
Here’s what’s left for Houston:
Texans Remaining Schedule
- Week 15: vs.
Cardinals
- Week 16: vs.
Raiders
- Week 17: at Chargers
- Week 18: vs. Colts
Bottom Line
The Texans have built their identity around defense - and it’s working. They’re not just surviving; they’re thriving in a conference loaded with talent. If the offense can get healthy and find some rhythm down the stretch, this team has the pieces to make real noise in January.
But it starts Sunday night. Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming to town, and the spotlight doesn’t get much brighter. If Houston wants to prove they belong in the postseason - and maybe even beyond - this is the moment to show it.