The Houston Texans improved to 8-5 in the regular season after overcoming a scare with a 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans, who had lost four of their last six games before Sunday's showdown, improved to 4-1 in the AFC South Division.
Joe Mixon continued his Pro Bowl season after rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown. He became the third running back in NFL history with at least 100 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in six road games in the same season, along with Tiki Barber of the New York Giants (2004) and Derrick Henry of Tennessee (2020).
“Joe is an old-school running back,” Texans coach Ryans said. “He’s the type of guy who wants it 30 times and he just gets better the more touches he gets. I'm really proud of him for knowing he's in a bad place and still persevering. To still produce yards even when they load the box and still be able to find a way to get yards.”
Nico Collins returned to his All-Pro status after catching eight passes for 119 yards, while Dalton Schultz gave him his first touchdown reception of the season on a 22-yard pass from CJ Stroud.
Stroud, who didn't have a turnover for the first time in three games, completed 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards and a score.
The Texans are back in the driver's seat heading into the bye. They are three games above .500 and have a two-game lead in the division standings.
Does Houston feel like one of the better AFC squads? Not really at the moment. The Texans would hardly be in the playoff conversation if they played in another division, but at least appear to be within striking distance of other opponents like the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.
Meanwhile, Kansas City secured another division title thanks to a questionable finish on Black Friday. 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 quickly transitions from fighting for a playoff spot to preparing for 2025 and beyond.
Here's a look at the Week 14 Power Rankings.
32 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) Last week: No. 32
Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs after the catch against Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) and cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) in the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
31. New York Giants (2-10): Last week: No. 30
Oct. 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory attribution: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10): Last week 30
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
29. New England Patriots (3-10)| Last week: No. 29
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. Tennessee Titans (3-9) | Last week: No. 28
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) passes the ball during overtime against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, November 3, 2024.
27. New York Jets (3-9) | Last week: No. 28
September 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) plays at the line during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
26. Cleveland Browns (3-9) | Last week: No. 24
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
25. Carolina Panthers (3-9) | Last week: No. 26
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
24. Chicago Bears (4-8) | Last week: No. 25
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
23. New Orleans Saints (4-8) | Last week: No. 22
Oct. 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) attempts a pass in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
22. Dallas Cowboys (5-7) | Last week: No. 23
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
21. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) | Last week: No. 18
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
20. San Francisco 49ers (5-7) | Last week: No. 20
Oct. 10, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory attribution: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
19. Indianapolis Colts (6-7) | Last week: No. 21
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.
18. Atlanta Falcons (6-6) | Last week: No. 17
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
17. Miami Dolphins (5-7) | Last week: 16
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. Los Angeles Rams (6-6) | Last week: No. 19
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.
16. Arizona Cardinals (6-6) | Last week: No. 15
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. 14
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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) | Last week: No. 11
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
12. Washington Commanders (8-5) | Last week #13
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
11. Houston Texans (8-5) | Last week: No. 12
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7), center right, congratulates tight end Dalton Schultz (86), right, on his touchdown score, while center Juice Scruggs (70), center left, and center Jarrett Patterson (54). ) watching the fourth quarter of an nfl football game on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Texans beat the Jaguars 23:20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
10. Denver Broncos (8-5) | Last week: No. 10
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 (8-4) | 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. Baltimore Ravens (8-5) | Last week: No. 5
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs through Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-3) | 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. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) | Last week: No. 9
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
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2) | 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
4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) | Last week: No. 4
January 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) | Last week: No. 3
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 (10-2) | Last week: #2
Bills James Cook throws the ball into the stands after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Orchard Park on Nov. 17, 2024. Behind him his teammate O'Cyrus Torrence celebrates.
1. Detroit Lions (11-1) | 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
