The Houston Texans appear to be back to winning ways after a 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” in Week 11.
Behind a three-touchdown performance by the Texans secured themselves with one about the on “Monday Night Football” to close out Week 11.
Mixon, who is He finished with 109 rushing yards and 53 total yards in his last five games, helping Houston break its nine-quarter drought without a touchdown in the second half.
“Joe, when he’s in action, he’s a force for us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The running game starts with our offensive line. I asked them to play fast and aggressively. I thought they did a really good job. I really like the way we just kept going in the run game and I’m proud of the guys for rising to the challenge.”
At 7-4, the Texans remain two games ahead of the Indianapolis Colts in the division for the AFC South title and three games ahead of the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. With wins over Jacksonville and Indianapolis, a win against the Titans on Nov. 24 could be enough to secure a playoff spot at 4-0 and a trip to Duval County in Week 13.
Well, at least theoretically it is possible.
Does this mean Houston would get a bye in the AFC playoffs? At the moment no. If the season ends on Sunday, the Texans would technically be the lowest-seeded division winners. They would host a playoff game against the top-seeded wild card squad, which recently changed after some madness in Week 11.
With a win, the Texans would face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round for the first time since 2019.
Here's a quick look at the AFC standings as Week 12 begins:
AFC East
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.
- Buffalo Bills (9-2)
- Miami Dolphins (4-6)
- New York Jets (3-8)
- New England Patriots (3-8)
AFC North
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
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
- Baltimore Ravens* (7-4)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
- Cleveland Browns (2-8)
AFC South
Oct. 31, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates his touchdown run against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
- Houston Texans (7-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (5-6)
- Tennessee Titans (2-8)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) lines up during the second quarter of the Week 11 NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, November 17, 2024, under the middle. At halftime, the Chargers led 24-6.
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers* (7-3)
- Denver Broncos* (6-5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
AFC playoff rankings
November 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) and Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
- Buffalo Bills (9-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
- Houston Texans (7-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
- Denver Broncos (6-5)
Other competitors: Indianapolis Colts (5-6), Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), Miami Dolphins (4-6)
If the season ends today, the Texans would host the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round. Los Angeles blew a 17-point second-half lead on Sunday Night Football, but recovered with a late JK Dobbins touchdown run to secure a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers and Ravens, who prevailed in an 18:15 win in Pittsburgh, could also be number 5 in a direct duel. While the Steelers are 1-0 in the AFC North, five of the seven remaining games are against division teams, including Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns. The other two come against the undefeated Chiefs and a 7-2 Philadelphia Eagles squad at Lincoln Financial Stadium.
Texans remaining schedule
November 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
- November 24: vs. Tennessee Titans
- December 1st: at the Jacksonville Jaguars
- December 8th: Bye week
- December 15: vs. Miami Dolphins
- December 21st: at the Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday)
- December 25: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Netflix)
- January 6: at the Tennessee Titans
- Record: 7-4
