Despite the injuries.
Despite the inconsistencies on offense.
Despite knowing nothing would change on Sunday, the Houston Texans didn’t care.
Ten wins is better than nine.
Behind Davis Mills and a 100-plus yard rushing performance from Dameon Pierce, the Texans secured a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans en route to a second 10-win season under DeMeco Ryans.
https://t.co/b8rkWAb1ZK pic.twitter.com/ChH6odBjzg
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
In the process, the Titans secured the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft after the New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills in the regular season finale.
Now Houston waits to see if it’s hosting either the Los Angeles Chargers, who played at the Raiders later Sunday, or Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card game. With a Chargers’ win, Los Angeles would head to NRG Stadium.
While the Texans planned on playing starters, Ryans never said how long they’d stay in the lineup. C.J. Stroud completed all six of his passes for 50 yards and a touchdown on the Texans’ opening drive before going to the bench.
Nico Collins and Joe Mixon also made history by securing 1,000-yard seasons in receiving and rushing, respectivley. Mixon, who finished with 23 yards, became the first Texans running back to hit the 1,000-yard marker since Carlos Hyde in 2019.
ALL GAS NO BRAKES ⛽️
📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/rirAUVJVhu
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
Collins, who finished with 38 receiving yards, joined Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins and Hall of Fame receiver Andre Johnson as the only players to total back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Houston history.
Pierce finished with a career-high 176 rushing yards, including a 97-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The run marks the second-longest play from scrimmage in franchise history.
While Will Levis might not be the long-term answer in Nashville, he saw more reps than veteran Mason Rudolph. He had a better day than advertised, finishing with 175 yards, including a 49-yard TD pass to Tay Martin with 2:41 left.
Tennesseee tried to recover the onside kick, but Robert Woods was in the right place to shore up the victory.
Levis might be remembered for a play that helped Houston secure a two-possession win. Defensive end Derek Barnett got the ball on a botched handoff by Levis to Josh Oliver early in the fourth quarter and ran it back 36 yards for a TD.
The “thicc-sx” was Barnett’s second such return for a TD this season and the third of his career.
Houston ends its two-game losing streak after securing the division title in Week 15’s win over the Miami Dolphins.
THICC SIX PART 2 🤯
📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/wxXVu1objN
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2025
Stroud and Ryans also made history as the first QB-head coach duo to win the division back-to-back years in their first two seasons.
They now head home to watch what happens out in Las Vegas.
