The Houston Texans face a do-or-die moment this Sunday as they travel to take on the Cleveland Browns, with their playoff chances hanging by a thread. Sitting at 3-5, the Texans must win to keep themselves in the AFC playoff conversation, a position that feels increasingly unlikely without a victory against a Browns team also struggling at 5-4.
Houston’s recent 44-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 gave fans a glimpse of what the team can do. However, the broader AFC landscape remains daunting. The Buffalo Bills lead the conference at 6-1, preparing for a Monday Night Football clash with the Minnesota Vikings. Behind them, the Denver Broncos have surged to 7-2 after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, who now hold a 5-2 record. Denver’s win also lifted them above the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars, both at 6-2, in the playoff seedings.
The Chiefs remain the first wild-card team despite their recent loss, while Cincinnati continues to push toward division dominance following a win in Madrid over Atlanta. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots fell out of a stronger postseason position after losing to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s schedule after this weekend offers a mix of challenges and opportunities. The Texans return home for a divisional showdown with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football. This game will see the debut of Houston’s H-Town rivalry uniforms, adding a fresh edge to the contest.
Following the Colts, Houston faces the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, also in the playoff race, are preparing to start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback after trading for him from the Arizona Cardinals. This change comes as veteran Lamar Jackson is sidelined, which could influence the dynamics of the game.
Other upcoming Houston matchups include games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, both teams undergoing roster changes as they look to rebuild. The Texans will also face the Jaguars again on December 20, a team they defeated earlier in the season thanks to strong performances from quarterback C.J. Stroud and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.
Sunday’s game kicks off at noon on FOX, and the Texans’ slim playoff hopes depend on their ability to beat a Browns squad led by Deshaun Watson. Both teams find themselves at critical points in their seasons, with the Browns still competitive but vulnerable.
Houston’s path to the postseason is narrow. Even if they win Sunday, they will need favorable outcomes elsewhere and sustained performances against teams higher up the AFC standings to stay in contention. The next few weeks will test the Texans’ resilience and ability to capitalize on every opportunity.
According to Yahoo Sports.