The Houston Texans fell to 7-5 in the regular season after losing 32-27 at home to the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans have lost four of their last six games, two of them at home. No one seems to have an answer as to why things can't be fixed, or if that's even possible this late in the year.
The reality for the Texans is that their team is currently on a path of no return. Several weaknesses were evident against the Titans, including a secondary that will have to play without Jalen Pitre for several weeks. There's also an offense that's lacking spark after Sunday marked the fourth game in a month in which the unit failed to score in the second half.
Houston may be three games over .500, but does it feel like one of the better AFC squads? Maybe right now. Well, they would at least be in the same race with franchises like the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.
Meanwhile, Kansas City suffered a scare and needed a game-winning field goal to secure a win over the Carolina Panthers. Just because the Chiefs suffered a loss doesn't mean they are the best squad in the league. Teams like Baltimore, Denver and Detroit are finding ways to win before the schedule tightens down the stretch.
The 2024 season is quickly splitting between the contenders, the “maybes,” and those hoping the season ends before the final six games. Here's a look at the Week 13 Power Rankings.
32 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) Last week: No. 32
Oct. 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) celebrates with offensive tackle Anton Harrison (77) after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium . Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
31. New York Giants (2-9): Last week: No. 30
East Rutherford, NJ – November 24, 2024 – Vita Vea of Tampa Bay chases Tommy DeVito of the Giants in the first half as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Giants.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9): Last week 31
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
29. New England Patriots (3-9)| Last week: No. 26
Oct. 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
28. New York Jets (3-8) | Last week: No. 25
Oct. 14, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
27. Tennessee Titans (3-8) | Last week: No. 29
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (78) celebrates quarterback Will Levi's (8) 70-yard touchdown pass against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
26. Carolina Panthers (3-8) | Last week: No. 24
November 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is congratulated by wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) after his touchdown drive against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
25. Chicago Bears (4-7) | Last week: No. 23
September 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) jogs off the field after a third quarter play against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
24. Cleveland Browns (3-8) | Last week: No. 29
November 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) and quarterback Jameis Winston (5) and tight end David Njoku (85) celebrate after Winston scored a touchdown during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory attribution: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
23. Dallas Cowboys (4-7) | Last week: No. 29
November 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
22. New Orleans Saints (4-7) | Last week: No. 21
September 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
21. Indianapolis Colts (5-7) | Last week: No. 20
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) pressures Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, November 24, 2024.
20. San Francisco 49ers (5-6) | Last week: No. 18
September 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (31) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
19. Los Angeles Rams (5-6) | Last week: No. 15
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
18.Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) | Last week: No. 17
November 7, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with running back Chase Brown (30) and tight end Mike Gesicki (88) after his touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
17. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) | Last week: No. 15
Oct. 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
16. Miami Dolphins (5-6) | Last week: 19
November 24, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) hands the football to running back De'Von Achane (28) against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
15. Arizona Cardinals (6-5) | Last week: No. 11
November 24, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) reacts after a third down play against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory attribution: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-5) | Last week: No. 19
November 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) scores a rushing touchdown past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom (22) to win the game in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory attribution: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
13. Washington Commanders (7-5) | Last week #11
November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory attribution: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
12. Houston Texans (7-5) | Last week: No. 10
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with quarterback CJ Stroud (7) and wide receiver John Metchie III (8) after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) | Last week: No. 16
November 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates with his teammates after his rushing touchdown in the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
10. Denver Broncos (7-5) | Last week: No. 13
November 17, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (16) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Bo Nix (10) during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory attribution: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
9. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) | Last week: No. 9
November 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) | Last week: No. 5
November 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) tries to avoid Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
7. Green Bay Packers (8-3) | Last week #7
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) signals for a first down at the end of a run against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 38-10.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
6. Minnesota Vikings (9-2) | Last week: No. 6
November 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his rushing touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory attribution: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) | Last week: No. 8
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs through Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) | Last week: No. 3
November 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (52) passes the ball to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) | Last week: No. 4
November 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown (11) reacts after his first down catch against the Washington Commanders in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory attribution: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2) | Last week: #2
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills leaves the field after scoring 34 against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York :31 defeated . (Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
1. Detroit Lions (10-1) | Last week: #1
November 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions placekicker Jake Bates (39) celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal as time expired to give the Lions a victory over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
