After another slow start to the season, the Houston Texans could be ready for a historic run to the playoffs. The Texans (1-4) won their first game of the season with a 26-3 handling of the Tennessee Titans in week five, and it wasn't the only positive news from gameday. During the postgame press conference, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the team traded for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison was college teammates with quarterback CJ Stroud at Ohio State, and they had a strong connection. Texans wide receivers Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel are coming off their best performances of the season, and their defense finally looked dominant. Houston needs to go on a run if they want to make the postseason, but it seems like everything could be lining up at the perfect time.
Why the Texans have what it takes for a playoff push
Houston is looking to become the second team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting a season 0-4, along with the 1992 San Diego Chargers (NextGen Stats). The Texans defense is coming off its best performance of the season after allowing just three points and 187 total yards against the Titans. Will Anderson Jr. tied a career high with three sacks, and his 7.5 sacks on the season leads the NFL.
The Texans could also get some key players back from injury in the near future. Wide receiver Tank Dell could return within the next couple of weeks, and linebacker Henry To'oTo'o practiced on Wednesday for the first time since his injury in the season opener. Offensive tackle Braden Smith was also activated off the IR on Wednesday.
The Texans are No. 11 in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per game (312.4), and they have the second-most sacks as a team (18), behind only the Detroit Lions (20). Aside from a couple shaky performances against the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys, the defense has played well. Anderson is most likely heading for a defensive player of the year award, and he is on pace to break the NFL record for sacks in a season (23), set by Myles Garrett in 2025.
If the defense can continue to execute, and the offense continues to rise, Houston will be a force for the rest of the season. The Texans can only afford to lose two more games to have a solid chance at making the playoffs, as they would finish with a record of 11-6. The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs in 2025 with the same record as the final AFC wild card team. Winning the division would be the easiest route to the playoffs, but the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) seem primed to take the title.
Houston has a chance to gain ground on the Jaguars as the teams face off in London on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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