It’s troublesome to map out one single nightmare situation for the Houston Texans within the upcoming NFL playoffs. Based mostly on how they’re at present enjoying towards high quality competitors, the workforce could possibly be staring down Freddy Krueger for the rest of the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Accidents and poor play are tanking this squad’s postseason aspirations, however there may be nonetheless a path on the market that isn’t rife with doom.
The query is, although, will such mercy be bestowed on the Texans. Woman Luck has turned her again on NRG Stadium, with the AFC South champions dropping three of their final 4 dwelling video games, one in all which got here by the hands of the lowly Tennessee Titans. Due to this fact, a soft matchup doesn’t exist. The offense is connected to tubes at this level, and will probably be extraordinarily difficult for it get again on its toes earlier than the playoffs begin.
An id shift is likely to be important if Houston is hoping for an prolonged keep within the postseason. The pass-catching choices are severely restricted, CJ Stroud is making ill-advised throws and Joe Mixon is operating out of fuel on the worst doable time. Head coach DeMeco Ryans should belief his protection to raise its efficiency and take the stress off his quarterback.
This strategy can realistically be carried out towards any potential Wild Card Weekend opponent, however one specifically might enormously check the Texans’ will. And it’s the one they’d play if the common season ended as we speak.
Steelers might give the Texans a giant headache in playoffs
My credibility might be being questioned proper now, if it hasn’t already. I do know what you are pondering. “The Texans are literally purported to quiver on the considered dealing with the one postseason squad that’s really colder than than they’re proper now? Get out of right here with that.” Everybody begins recent subsequent week, although.
The three groups presently slotted within the AFC Wild Card slots all ooze vulnerability. The Denver Broncos are led by a rookie QB and lack playmakers, the Los Angeles Chargers’ backfield won’t be capable to overcome its persistent damage considerations and the Pittsburgh Steelers are fading quick on either side of the ball. With that being stated, Houston ought to need to avoid one of the best pass-rusher on the board.
Whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been in a position to stifle TJ Watt on Christmas Day, I don’t foresee the Texans having the identical sort of success towards the Defensive Participant of the Yr contender (additionally gained in 2021). They stack a bottom-tier offensive line and are much more susceptible with out veteran Shaq Mason. Stroud and Mixon are determined to unravel the riddle that’s the Houston offense, and Watt generally is a Rubik’s Dice within the trenches when at his peak type.
DeMeco Ryans and his teaching workers possess the ingenuity to plot a formidable sport plan, however executing it’s a completely different matter altogether. With a shaky offensive line, No. 90 has a good likelihood to be at or near his finest within the trenches. Although, Watt will not be the one potential landmine the Texans should dodge.
The Steelers include pivotal intangibles that would show to be burdensome for the No. 4 seed within the AFC.
Pittsburgh could be sneaky on this particular state of affairs
Houston gained invaluable expertise by advancing to the playoffs and profitable a Wild Card sport versus the Cleveland Browns in 2023-24. In principle, it must be mentally ready for a wild surroundings and heightened type of play. The Texans are removed from the best model of themselves, nonetheless. When an id disaster will not be rectified earlier than the postseason, not even dwelling area is essentially sufficient to push a workforce ahead.
As said earlier than, momentum is with neither Houston nor Pittsburgh. However the latter is extra conversant in the highlight and may ship the model of soccer wanted to win an unpleasant highway playoff matchup. Mike Tomlin is a Tremendous Bowl champion who has coached in nearly 20 postseason video games. Russell Wilson was an interception away from elevating up a second Lombardi Trophy. These two males have seen quite a bit of their time.
They’ll outsmart or outlast a squad with much less playoff expertise, particularly one which seems to be on a stage enjoying area with theirs. CJ Stroud is sloppy proper now (three picks in final two weeks), and the Steelers’ QB/HC duo and protection can exploit that weak spot in a must-win showdown. Even when the 2023 Rookie of the Yr does channel final yr’s heroics, although, the Texans’ secondary might nonetheless have its palms full with the unpredictable George Pickens.
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Briefly, Pittsburgh simply looks like a disadvantageous draw. Moreover, avoiding the Steelers may be not directly useful for Houston.
If Steelers fall to No. 6, Houston’s long-term odds would possibly go up
Contemplating I simply expressed fairly the gloomy outlook in regards to the Texans, it appears a little bit unusual to gaze on the large image. However with so many query marks dealing with this workforce, wanting forward really feels just like the extra sensible strategy to absorb this train. Assuming the AFC bracket goes the way in which of chalk, Houston must face the two-time reigning champion Chiefs on the highway the next weekend.
They are saying it’s higher to get an disagreeable process over with, however a little bit procrastination helps on this occasion. A Divisional Spherical collision with the Buffalo Payments, a workforce the Texans beat in 2024, could possibly be extra interesting. Do not get me flawed, this would possibly simply be a case of selecting the place to have a closing meal. I’m keenly conscious that the Payments have an argument to be essentially the most deadly AFC foe. However, the aura is so robust in KC.
The Chiefs are missing in type factors this season, however they’ve inexplicably escaped the jaws of defeat on a number of events, or slightly watched their opponents leap proper into them. The soccer gods ostensibly retain residence in Arrowhead Stadium, whereas Orchard Park can typically be a fortress of misfortune.
However how do the Texans get there? Easy, they should win and the Ravens (or Buffalo) should lose.
Texans would possibly really have to root for the Steelers
The Chargers are higher than the Steelers at this second, however solely a kind of groups has defeated the anticipated AFC North champs this season. Regardless of being outclassed by Baltimore on Dec. 21, Pittsburgh is traditionally a tough matchup for Lamar Jackson.
A postseason battle between these two franchises might actually put the “Wild” in Wildcard Weekend. Chaos and physicality might run rampant in M&T Financial institution Stadium. Ideally, the Texans’ path would then widen.
Simply so long as they vanquish the Chargers, in fact. A fairy-tale bedtime story goes to be powerful to return by for DeMeco Ryans’ bunch, however this hypothetical playoff schedule is likely to be the least excruciating situation. And that’s all Houston can fairly ask for.