NFL Power Rankings: Houston Texans in Middle of Pack After Week 14

The Houston Texans had a rough showing in Week 14, losing multiple players to injury and dropping a road game against the New York Jets 30-6.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud entered concussion protocol in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss, and how long he remains sidelined will impact Houston's ability to claim a playoff seed down the stretch. After Week 14's game, the Texans came in at No. 15 in the latest NFL power rankings from Sports Illustrated, and you can view an excerpt from the piece below.

I think the Texans just ran into one here. No grand conclusions other than it’s disappointing to see C.J. Stroud in concussion protocol. That backward fall angle is tough to protect against. I would assume Davis Mills can get the job done this week, but we are seeing a Titans defense hanging surprisingly tough at the end of a lost season. DeMeco Ryans isn’t going to just walk into the playoffs in year one.

It is a positive note for the Texans that they weren't harshly punished in perception due to the loss to New York, but the last few sentences of this analysis are telling. If Stroud is unable to suit up against the Tennessee Titans, will Davis Mills be able to get the job done at quarterback against a team that shocked the Green Bay Packers on "Monday Night Football" this week?

Also, it is becoming increasingly evident that the Texans, even with a strong turnaround in the 2023 season, will not be able to simply waltz into the playoffs, especially if injuries continue to pile up.

Where Do Houston Texans Stand in Current AFC Playoff Picture?

After this week's games in the NFL, the Texans are currently on the outside looking in for a playoff seed in the AFC. Wins down the stretch would help remedy that issue, but with key players potentially sidelined, just how many wins Houston is able to stack up in the final month of the season is yet to be seen.

Kickoff between Houston and Tennessee is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, and the game will be televised on CBS.