Battle Red Blog
Where do they Texans land after their win over the Chargers in the wildcard round?
We’ve got another week of the Power Rankings! I have to admit, I wrote last week’s power rankings article thinking it was going to be my last of the season. Being underdogs at home and welcoming in a (seemingly) red-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, 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 could’ve been ripped directly out of Stroud’s 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 defense.
It would be the understatement of the century to say it was encouraging to see how well Stroud played. He was still far from perfect, but for the first time since September, it seemed like the Texans passing offense was something to be feared.
And the defense? If Stroud’s performance restored confidence in Texans fans, this defense will give them arrogance. Cornerbacks Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. erased the edges of the field, forcing Justin Herbert into more interceptions than he had throw all regular season! The defensive line was instrumental in chilling the Chargers’ offense, as well. Will Anderson Jr. became a waking nightmare for Herbert, generating six of Houston’s 25, yes, 25, total pressures on the quarterback that evening. There was no time Justin Herbert, and that is what spelled the Chargers’ downfall.
Wins like these don’t come very often. Playoff wins are rare, getting to the divisional round two years in a row is rare, and considering how much of a rollercoaster of a season it has been for Houston this year, making it back to the top eight is a remarkable feat. Instead of winning via game-winning field goals and heroic plays by Stroud in 2023, 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. I’m sure some in Kansas City originally looked upon this rematch with the Texans favorably, but after seeing this defense, I bet they’re feeling a pit of anxiety begin to stir in their bellies.
Here’s where the Houston Texans are ranked entering the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs:
8. Houston Texans (11-7) (Last Week: 14)
For the second year in a...
