The Jacksonville Jaguars had an opportunity to place the AFC South away for good in Week 18. After beginning the season 8-3, that they had misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games, permitting the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans to creep up on them within the division, they usually wanted to defeat the Tennessee Titans within the last week of the season to easily make the playoffs.
Texans Win AFC South Thanks To Jags Loss To Titans
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
YOUR AFC SOUTH CHAMPIONS 😤 pic.twitter.com/IdbnDwvTw8
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024
However Titans’ backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw two touchdowns and Derrick Henry rushed for 153 yards en path to the upset victory, not solely knocking the Jaguars off of the highest of the South, however sending them house for good for the season.
And because of their victory over the Colts on Saturday evening, the Texans are the unlikely winners of the AFC South for the 2023 NFL season.
Houston started the yr with the longest odds of any of the 4 groups to win the division. The Jaguars had been the favorites at -155, and the Texans had been all the best way down at +900. At the beginning of November, their odds had shortened barely to +700, however had been nonetheless thought-about lengthy photographs. (The Colts, who would have gained the division had they been victorious on Saturday, had been +2550 at that time)
The division championship is kind of the feat for Houston. They had been one of many worst groups within the NFL final season, ending with a poor sufficient report to acquire the second total decide within the 2023 Draft.
Additions Of Ryans, Stroud Helped Change Fortunes
THE HOUSTON TEXANS WON THE AFC SOUTH 🏆
Texans vs. Browns in HOUSTON 🍿 pic.twitter.com/b4ZaNiGb8S
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) January 7, 2024
They seemingly modified their franchise with that choice, selecting quarterback CJ Stroud who had the most effective rookie seasons of all time. The Texans traded up for the third decide as properly, and chosen the very best defensive prospect within the draft in Will Anderson.
These picks, together with different strikes, had been big contributors for the crew’s fast flip round, however a lot of the credit score needs to be handed right down to rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans. In his first yr as the pinnacle man, Ryans turned Houston right into a division champion only a yr after being a bottom-feeder, and is the general chief on the percentages board for NFL Coach of the Yr.
The Texans will tackle the Cleveland Browns of their first playoff sport subsequent weekend.
