NFL Power Rankings: Where Do Houston Texans Land After Week 12?
The Houston Texans lost a heartbreaker to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, falling 24-21 at home. How does this loss affect Houston in the latest NFL power rankings?
Sports Illustrated released its updated power rankings for the league on Tuesday, and the Texans come in at No. 12 on the list, still finding themselves in the top half of the NFL. The Jaguars, by comparison, come in at No. 8.
"Surprise, C.J. Stroud is still splitting defenders and playing cool. The one mistake he made—taking a massive sack that put the Texans into a second-and-25 situation on a potential game-tying or game-winning drive—looked like a screen that simply developed too slowly. Would we rather Stroud have pulled a Mac Jones and alley-ooped the ball to a place where a defender could grab it?"
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud
© Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Even in a loss, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to garner praise for his poise and performances during his rookie season, and for good reason.
In Sunday's loss, Stroud once again threw for over 300 yards and two scores, leading to chants of "MVP" from the Texans faithful in the second half of play. Perhaps giving up the late sack in the game is a play that Stroud wishes he could have back, but that's all part of the progression of a young quarterback.
For now, at least, the good far outweighs the bad in Stroud's development in Houston.
The loss does sting, however, because the Texans had a shot at first place in the AFC South with a win. Now, they will be playing catch-up with the Jaguars in hopes of shocking the league even further by winning the division.
Houston, now 6-5 on the year, will conclude a three-game homestand on Sunday when they play host to the Denver Broncos. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on CBS.
