Losing close games has consequences.
According to Nate Davis from USA TODAY, the Houston Texans come in at No. 22 in the power rankings following their 15-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
22. Texans (17): Hoping to salvage a .500 season against the NFC South as they conclude a four-game sprint through the division with Sunday’s visit from the Bucs.
What gets lost amid the losses with Houston is the development of quarterback C.J. Stroud. The rookie has had two potential game-winning drives stolen from him as the defense has failed to come up with a big stop. Such was the case against the Atlanta Falcons and again versus the Carolina Panthers. Arthur Smith and Frank Reich knew how to work DeMeco Ryans’ game management and comfortably kick walk-off field goals. Until that changes, the upper-twenties is about fitting for the Texans.
Across the rest of the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts are a tad better than the Texans at No. 21. The Tennessee Titans catapulted from No. 29 to No. 17 thanks to their win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Jacksonville Jaguars are No. 4 in the rankings after beating the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.