INDIANAPOLIS – After the Texans flew home from Indianapolis, arriving in the dark at roughly 4 a.m., they intend to watch some football Sunday as highly interested observers.
The 10-7 Texans can kick back a bit after earning a playoff berth for the first time in four years because of their 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
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Who the Texans will face in the playoffs is dependent on the outcome of Sunday’s final day of the NFL regular season.
If the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. the Texans would emerge as the AFC South division champion, become the fourth seed in the AFC and host the Cleveland Browns in a playoff game. The Browns defeated the Texans, 36-22, behind a dominant game by quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Amari Cooper on Christmas Eve. The Browns have already earned the fifth seed and face the division champion with the worst record.
If the Jaguars win and the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, the Texans will be the sixth seed and would travel to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
A combination of Jaguars winning and Bills winning means the Texans would be the seventh seed and sets up a road playoff game against the Bills.
“What’s next? Enjoy this,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We enjoy this moment for sure, enjoy tonight, and get to sit back and watch football (Sunday), see where we’ll be going, who we’ll be playing, who will be at home. There’s a lot of things that can happen that we know. We get to sit back and watch now. We get to breathe and not be in the last-second situations anymore. We get to sit back and watch the other teams play.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/1LesopnruT
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 7, 2024
The Texans could be an extremely dangerous competitor in the postseason, a viable competitor led by standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Ryans wasn’t looking too far ahead Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. He was enjoying the win and the moment after the Texans made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season, going from 3-13-1 a year ago and making a seven-win improvement.
“We’re just going to enjoy this moment right now,” Ryans said. “We’ll worry about the playoffs next week. Once we find out who we’re playing, we’ll worry about it. I think right now it’s just a time to reflect and take in just a moment of gratitude for us all. To be grateful for this opportunity that we have in front of us, to be proud of the season that we’ve had, to fight through a must-win game and finding a way to win. Thank God and take a breather and just enjoy this moment.”
#Texans offensive guard Shaq Mason @ShaqDiesel_70 @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/qq2g6h7hvR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 7, 2024
Texans veteran offensive guard Shaq Mason, acquired in an offseason trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was overjoyed to make the playoffs after years of success with the New England Patriots.
“It’s awesome, man,” Mason said
Stroud, after throwing two touchdown passes with zero interceptions against the Colts, is looking forward to relaxing a bit.
“Yeah, I’m going to watch the games, just get some recovery in and see what goes down,” Stroud said. “Just prepare to see what happens.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com