Week 9 Results and Their Effect on the AFC South Playoff Race

Houston Texans

Week 9 Results: Lost to the Indianapolis Colts 20-14

What it Means: Houston’s worst fears were confirmed on Sunday: Without quarterback Deshaun Watson, this team is going nowhere. Where in the past the Texans defense has been able to carry mediocre quarterbacks to the playoffs, the defense has been off all year and not nearly as dominant. This issue was exacerbated by the loss of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus. Tom Savage could not beat an awful Colts defense as he continues to make a case for why he does not belong in the NFL.

With a tough schedule ahead for the Texans, and a poor record in the division, the playoffs look unlikely, but this team still has more than enough talent on either side of the ball to play spoiler to other teams like the Titans and Jaguars. Even though this team may watch the playoffs from their couches, there is plenty of reason for optimism in Houston with a relatively young roster that has finally found a franchise quarterback. For Houston fans, kick back and enjoy that World Series win and look forward to what is bound to be a strong showing next year by the Texans.

What’s Next: The Texans face one of the league’s upstarts in the Los Angeles Rams. Behind Coach Sean McVay, QB Jared Goff, and RB Todd Gurley, this team has been revitalized and looks like the class of the NFC alongside the Philadelphia Eagles.