The Houston Texans have been an unexpected success story in the NFL this season, with a 7-5 record and a legitimate shot at making the playoffs as early as December.
They have greatly outperformed expectations, as they were expected to only make marginal improvements over last season’s record of 3-13-1.
However, the AFC is extremely competitive, and Houston will need to keep winning in order to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season.
They will be short-handed when they face the New York Jets on the road this Sunday, as wide receiver Tank Dell is out for the season, and tight end Dalton Schultz is also out, according to Adam Schefter.
While Dell has been a big part of the Texans’ success this season, Schultz has also chipped in with 40 catches, 455 yards, and five touchdowns in 11 games.
Without him or Dell, the Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has been one of the NFL’s biggest stories this season, will have to find new ways to win.
Stroud has the most passing yards (3,540), and he also has the fifth highest passer rating (101.2).
Because of his brilliance, Houston ranks sixth in total yards and second in passing yards.
Overall, the team’s remaining schedule appears to be manageable, though it will be challenging at times.
The Texans will travel to Tennessee to play the Titans next weekend and on New Year’s Eve, before hosting the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Eve and traveling to Indianapolis to play the Colts in Week 18.
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