Expectations for the Houston Texans were high as they entered this season, with many viewing them as dark-horse contenders in the AFC following their unexpectedly successful previous year.
The team bolstered its roster by acquiring four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs at wide receiver, standout pass rusher Danielle Hunter, and running back Joe Mixon during the offseason.
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However, the Texans have faced serious challenges due to injuries this season, culminating in a 31-2 defeat to the Ravens on Christmas Day, which left their record at 9-7.
Despite these issues, former New York Jets and Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini remains optimistic about the Texans’ potential to make an impact in the playoffs, cautioning on Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” that counting them out would be a mistake.
Mangini pointed out that Houston has excelled at forcing turnovers, and Joe Mixon has been impressive, accumulating 993 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns so far.
Sadly, one of their standout wide receivers, Tank Dell, suffered a torn knee ligament in the recent game against the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the remainder of the season.
They have also been without Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in late October and is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year. The injury situation has placed considerable pressure on the remaining healthy players, including second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud.
However, Stroud has demonstrated his ability to deliver remarkable performances, and a favorable first-round playoff matchup might allow them to advance and challenge one of the AFC’s top three teams.
