The Houston Texans are officially on a playoff roll! After an emphatic 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Wild Card Weekend, the Texans are gearing up for their next challenge. With their stellar defense and rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud leading the way, Houston now faces a pivotal Divisional Round matchup.
Let’s dive into the Texans’ possible opponents and what it will take for them to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.
Houston Texans Dominate Chargers in Wild Card Weekend
Coming into the Wild Card Weekend as underdogs, the Texans silenced critics with a commanding win over the Chargers. The game saw Houston’s defense shine, forcing Justin Herbert into four interceptions- a stunning feat considering Herbert had thrown only three picks all season. All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. snagged two of those interceptions, while Eric Murray’s pick-six in the third quarter extended Houston’s lead to an insurmountable 14 points.
[W]ILD CARD ROUND ✅ pic.twitter.com/yoNvwFkyCr
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 12, 2025
Rookie edge rusher Will Anderson added 1.5 sacks, putting relentless pressure on Herbert throughout the game. Meanwhile, Houston’s offense, led by C.J. Stroud, found its rhythm after a rocky start. Stroud’s 34-yard completion to Xavier Hutchinson on a critical third-and-16 gave the Texans much-needed momentum, culminating in a key touchdown pass later in the game.
Potential Divisional Round Opponents
With the Chargers behind them, the Houston Texans now await their next opponent. The NFL reseeds teams after each playoff round, meaning Houston, the lowest-seeded division winner, will face the highest remaining seed. Here are the Texans’ possible matchups:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The most likely scenario (45.2% chance) has Houston traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to face the reigning Super Bowl champions. If the Ravens and Bills win their respective Wild Card games, the Texans would be the lowest remaining seed, automatically pitting them against the No. 1 seed Chiefs.
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This matchup would renew a competitive rivalry between Houston and Kansas City. However, the Texans’ defense will need to replicate their performance against Herbert to stand a chance against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense.
2. Baltimore Ravens
If the No. 7 seed Denver Broncos upset the Bills, the Texans could find themselves facing the Ravens in Baltimore. This scenario (26.3% chance) would be a rematch of Houston’s Christmas Day loss, where they were outclassed by Baltimore’s physicality.
To advance, Houston will need its seventh-ranked defense (per PFN’s Defense+ metric) to slow down Lamar Jackson and a Ravens offense known for its versatility.
Also Read: Houston Texans Replace Tank Dell With Pro Bowl Wide Receiver In Massive Move Ahead Of The Playoffs
3. Buffalo Bills
A less likely outcome (18.0% chance) could send the Texans to Buffalo if the Bills defeat the Broncos, but other results align. The Texans would be heavy underdogs in this matchup, with a 28.5% chance of victory. A strong defensive performance, coupled with Stroud’s composure under pressure, would be critical to pulling off the upset.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Steelers are the longest shot to face the Texans, they remain a possibility. If Pittsburgh advances past the Ravens and other results go Houston’s way, the Texans could head to Pittsburgh for the Divisional Round.
Could the Houston Texans Host the AFC Championship?
For Houston to host the AFC Championship Game, they’ll need several improbable outcomes to align. First, the Broncos must upset both the Bills and the Chiefs- an unlikely scenario, given Denver’s 40% chance of beating Kansas City.
NVP 🗣️NVP 🗣️NVP pic.twitter.com/4jBBHswK1w
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 12, 2025
Meanwhile, the Texans must win their Divisional Round matchup, regardless of the opponent. If these conditions are met, Houston would host the AFC Championship as the higher seed against Denver. However, with just a 3.7% chance of both the Texans and Broncos advancing, this remains a long shot.
What Lies Ahead
The Houston Texans have proven they belong in the playoff conversation with their Wild Card win, showcasing a defense capable of disrupting even elite offenses. However, the road ahead only gets tougher. Whether it’s Mahomes, Jackson, or Josh Allen on the other side of the field, Houston will need to fire on all cylinders to keep their season alive.
With momentum on their side and Stroud stepping up in crucial moments, the Texans have a puncher’s chance of making waves in the playoffs. Buckle up, Houston fans- the ride isn’t over yet!
Also Read: Everything About NFL’s Wild-Card Weekend: Schedule, Matchups, And TV Details
