Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans played their starters in Week 18, with the ultimate goal of giving themselves the best chance to win the AFC South.
Unfortunately for the Texans, they did not control their destiny.
They needed help from an unlikely source to even have that opportunity, and then it would be up to them to do the rest. Again, unfortunately for the Texans, they did not get the assistance they needed on Sunday.
Jaguars Close Door on DeMeco Ryans, Texans in AFC South
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryans and the Texans began the game as planned, sending C.J. Stroud and the starters out against the Indianapolis Colts. Trying to win the division was not Ryans and the Texans’ only goal in this game, but it was inarguably their most significant.
Still, they would need the Tennessee Titans to take down the Jacksonville Jaguars, who sit atop the AFC South.
The situation began encouragingly enough, with the Titans jumping out to an early 7-0 lead.
However, the positive momentum quickly turned in the Jaguars’ favor. First, Titans quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft, exited the contest with an elbow injury and was quickly ruled out.
The situation snowballed from there, with the Jaguars rattling off 31 unanswered points, including a pick-6 off Ward’s replacement, Brandon Allen.
Ryans and the Texans were still battling to secure the No. 5 seed in the AFC against the Colts.
However, with the Jaguars sealing the Texans’ fate in the division–they ultimately defeated the Titans 41-7–Ryans decided discretion was the better part of valor, sending in Davis Mills along with many other backups in place of Stroud and the other starters in the second half.
Postseason health is paramount. And while the Texans won three straight games without Stroud this season, their best chances in the postseason will come with him under center.
Colts Test Texans
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ryans and the Texans entered the half up 23-17 against the Colts, with Indianapolis’ Riley Leonard completing eight of 13 passes for 133 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in the first two quarters.
Leonard found Alec Pierce with Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage.
The Texans defeated the Colts 20-16 in Week 13, but that was with Philip Rivers serving as Indy’s QB1.
The Colts, who are eliminated from the postseason already, opted to give Leonard his first start as they evaluate their future. Starter Daniel Jones and former QB1 Anthony Richardson both on injured reserve.
Ryans said the Texans needed to play better football in the second half.
That did not exactly happen with reserves taking over for the starters. The Colts took a 30-29 lead before the two-minute warning. They responded with a field goal to take a 32-30 lead with 12 seconds on the clock before Tommy Togiai returned a fumble for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.
The Texans will learn their schedule after the Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans will face the No. 4 seed on the road in the AFC Wild Card.
Ryans, Stroud, and the Texans will be a Wild Card team for the first time in franchise history.
Texans Make Critical Decision on C.J. Stroud Amid Unfortunate Update