Houston Texans: 5 Key Takeaways from Thursday night’s win
![HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a deep pass against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on November 21, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Colts 20-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 21: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a deep pass against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on November 21, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Colts 20-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftorotimes-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1183832845-850x560-4cd2ff0a701c6b38426f391c8627d8f54bf9c06966c7a34aca1e155d37b482f9.jpg)
1. The path to a division title became much clearer, but not guaranteed
With a 7-4 record and a lead in the AFC South, the Texans are now in the driver’s seat for the No. 3 seed due to a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts are one game back at 6-5 with one series victory each, and the Titans loom closely behind at 5-5.
While Ryan Tannehill doesn’t seem like the most threatening of opponents, he was able to overpower Patrick Mahomes en route to an upset victory over Kansas City. The Texans also play Tennessee twice over a three-week span from Week 15 to 17, which leaves room for a multitude of unexpected scenarios to play out.
The Texans host the defending champion New England Patriots next Sunday, which could hypothetically bring them back to a tie for the third seed with Indy with a loss. Jacksonville is not technically eliminated from postseason play, but with a loss in both games against Houston, it would take a miracle for them to acquire even a Wild Card berth.
The only other games on the Texans schedule include the Flacco-less Denver Broncos and a trip to Tampa Bay, both of which would be projected as wins.
Next. Texans run defense needs work following win over Colts. dark
There could be an 11-5 or 10-6 finish in the making, but the home stretch of this season is by no means a given.