There is one week left in the 2023 regular season, and it means everything for the Houston Texans. If they win, they’re in. If they lose, they’re out. It all comes down to this.
With the Texans being so close to the playoffs after having been one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2022, Houston’s success is a bit of a surprise. When was the last time Houston made the playoffs?
When Did the Houston Texans Make the Playoffs Last?
In 2022-23, the Texans were the second-worst team in the NFL, holding a 3-13-1 record. They fired first-year head coach Lovie Smith and were led by quarterback Davis Mills.
Since then, the team hired head coach DeMeco Ryans and drafted QB C.J. Stroud. Those two decisions, as well as many others, have led them to a 9-7 record and potential playoff birth in Ryans’ first season.
The last time the Texans made the playoffs was in 2019, when they went 10-6 and fell in the Divisional Round. They made the postseason in two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). At that time, their head coach was Bill O’Brien, and their quarterback was Deshaun Watson.
Over that two-year period, the Texans went 21-11 and won the AFC South both times. Houston fell in the Wild Card round of the 2018 playoffs but beat the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the 2019 playoffs.
In 2019, Houston had the 19th-ranked defense by points allowed and 28th by total yards allowed. However, their offense was 13th in yards and 14th in points forced.
Statistically, the Texans’ players had some solid seasons. Watson passed for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 413 yards and seven touchdowns. RB Carlos Hyde rushed for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns on 245 carries, while WR DeAndre Hopkins caught 104 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.
MORE: Did DeMeco Ryans Play in the NFL?
The Texans franchise has only existed since 2002. In their 21-year existence, they have made the playoffs just six times: 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. They have never made it past the Divisional Round, losing in the Wild Card twice and Divisional Round four times.
The Texans’ best season was in 2011, the first season they ever made the playoffs. They went 12-4, their best-ever record, and fell in the Divisional Round. They were coached by Gary Kubiak and were led by running back Arian Foster.
The Texans will face a division rival in the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. The Colts are also 9-7, sitting in the same situation as the Texans. The winner of the game will clinch a playoff spot. Additionally, if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose, the winner of the game will win the AFC South division.
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