Texans Slip in Consensus Rankings After Week 8 Bye
On November 3, the 2-5 Houston Texans sat between 19th and 25th in six NFL power rankings ahead of their Week 9 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Houston’s Week 8 bye did not halt a slide in most power rankings. The Texans fell in five of the six lists, with Sports Illustrated placing them lowest at No. 25, down four spots. ESPN ranked Houston 22nd, The Athletic 24th and CBS Sports 23rd; each moved the team down one or more places. NFL.com had the Texans 19th, one spot lower than the prior week.
FOX Sports was the exception, lifting Houston from 21st to 19th. Its assessment pointed to the Texans’ position in the AFC South and a schedule that includes another game each against the Titans and Colts. Houston also has matchups with the Chargers, Ravens, Commanders and Eagles. The team is 2.5 games behind a wild-card place, according to that ranking’s assessment.
The outlook remains uncertain after Houston fell 27-21 to New York in its seventh game. The Athletic’s playoff projections gave the Texans a 19 percent chance of reaching the postseason, while noting they have the league’s second-easiest remaining schedule. NFL.com also saw a possible route back into contention, citing upcoming games against the Chargers, Browns and Colts. The rankings highlighted defensive struggles, and attention also turned to Marvin Harrison Jr., acquired from Arizona in early October, and his role in the offense. Houston faces the Chargers in Week 9.
Players: Marvin Harrison Jr.