The Houston Texans fell to 6-4 on the regular season after losing in heartbreak fashion at home against the Detroit Lions.
The Texans’ loss is worse than some imagine. Houston blew a 16-point halftime lead after C.J. Stroud tossed two interceptions and allowed Jake Bates to kick a pair of 50-plus field goals. Jared Goff, who tossed five interceptions, led two scoring drives to take on 14 more points.
With Sunday’s loss, Houston became the second team since 1933 to lose a game in which they caught five interceptions and led by at least 15. Previously, teams were 373-1-1 when leading by at least 15 and snagging five interceptions. The only time another team lost in that fashion was in Week 11 of 1970, when the Chicago Bears lost to the Baltimore Colts 21-20 despite Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas throwing five interceptions.
Houston might sit two games above .500, but does it feel like one of the better AFC rosters? Even though they lost the head-to-head, the Buffalo Bills feel more complete. The Baltimore Ravens run the football with ease despite suffering two early. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos could make noise down the stretch.
Meanwhile, Kansas City remains the one lone undefeated roster after needing a blocked field goal against Broncos kicker Will Lutz to win at Arrowhead. Just because the Chiefs remain unscathed doesn’t mean they’re the league’s best roster. A team like Baltimore or Detroit is finding ways to win before the schedule becomes daunting down the stretch.
The 2024 season is quickly separating the contenders, maybes, maybe-nots and pretenders entering November. Here’s a look at the Week 11 Power Rankings.