The Texans dug themselves an 0-3 hole to start the 2025 NFL regular season. That is usually not a way to create a path to the AFC playoffs. But after going 6-2 in its past eight games, Houston is at 6-5 and in firm wild-card contention going into the final six weeks.
The team earned that record by beating the Bills, 23-19, at home to open the Week 12 schedule on Thursday night. The Texans have had a strong floor all season because of Will Anderson Jr. And an elite defense, but now the offense, with Davis Mills starting at quarterback, has sparked the team to three consecutive wins.
Here's a look at Houston's current place in the standings as the team seeks a third consecutive playoff berth:
MORE: How Davis Mills outshined Josh Allen on Thursday Night Football
Texans playoff picture
AFC South
The Texans, at 6-5, are still 2.5 games behind the first-place Colts, who are 8-2 coming off a Week 11 bye. The Texans trail the second-place Jaguars, who are 6-4 after routing the Chargers, by only a half-game.
Indianapolis has been in total control of the division since Week 1, but it is notable that the Colts have yet to play Houston. That gives the Texans a direct chance to make up two games and gain a key tiebreaker head-to-head. After beating the Bills, the Texans will now be more eager to see the outcomes of Sunday's games between the Colts and Chiefs and Jaguars and Cardinals.
AFC wild card
The Texans currently the No. 8 seed in the AFC playoff standings. They are only a game behind the 7-4 Chargers, whom they still play in Week 17, and the 7-4 Bills, whom they just beat. Only a half-game separates the Texans from the 6-4 Jaguars, who hold the No. 7 seed and final wild card spot.
Houston knows it will at least remain the No. 8 seed no matter what No. 9 Kansas City (5-5) and No. 10 Baltimore do on Sunday. While the Chiefs host the Colts, the Ravens host the Jets in the 1 p.m. ET window.
The Texans have the best conference record (5-2) in relation to the Chiefs (2-4) and Ravens (3-3). They also beat the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 5 and will face the Chiefs at Kansas City in Week 14.
MORE: Josh Allen, Bills' woes continue after ugly TNF loss
Texans' remaining schedule
- Week 13: at Colts
- Week 14: at Chiefs
- Week 15. Vs. Raiders
- Week 16: vs. Cardinals
- Week 17: at Chargers
- Week 18: vs. Colts
The Texans get a "mini-bye" to prepare for a huge trip to Indianapolis which will determine whether they stay in the division race or need to fight for a wild card spot instead. Having the two AFC West powers, the Chiefs and Chargers, sandwiched in there, adds difficulty along with opportunity.
Given the logjam and the Jaguars holding the final spot with six wins, a 9-8 record with the right tiebreakers might be enough for No. 7 spot. The Texans are hot and staying that way gives them a fighting chance when the odds were against them out of the gate.