Win. For Two Different Reasons.

The Texans are on the verge of a second straight AFC South title. Exciting times in Houston, who has had a history of losing and bad seasons, even ones they made the playoffs in. After last year’s success, the Texans beat the Browns in a wildcard game, ultimately losing to the Baltimore Ravens next round. But it was CJ Stroud’s rookie year, and the team was vastly successful. So successful, they went out and added an extra skill position player in Stefon Diggs, making their WR rooms one of the best in the league (argue with a wall.) Let’s turn to this year, because that’s where we are. The Texans, while successful and closing in on that second division title, have played unbiasedly worse this year. CJ Stroud doesn’t look as poised as he did last year, they have had some injuries to that WR room, and they just can’t gel it together from week to week. They also have lost a few games to a couple teams they should not have lost too, especially a team of this caliber. They loss tough games to the Jets and Titans and then won by three points to the Jaguars. All eliminated teams. Not the games you want to drop. I think they will be ok, but they face a tougher opponent in the Dolphins, and while the Dolphins haven’t been all flash this year, they can still be formidable when they want to be.

The Dolphins have won four out of their last five games, but they are 6-7, and the path to the playoffs for them would be winning out their schedule. They face a tough Texans team who has shown they are for real but have also shown that they fall off the wagon from time to time. The Dolphins need to get that offense rolling if they want any hope at winning this game. With guys like De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle, and of course, Tyreek Hill, they should have no problem pushing the ball up field. For some reason, they are this season. Tyreek Hill only has 769 receiving yards this year, with only 5 TDs to show for it. Not a year for Tyreek Hill, which has Dolphins fans and fantasy managers in a head spin. This team has too much talent to be underperforming like this. They even have a top 10 defense in the league! So, what gives? Your guess is as good as mine, but I’d have to imagine the Dolphins are not pleased with their outcomes this year. They have a chance to keep their hopes alive, but I don’t think they can compete with this Houston team, if, who are producing at the level we saw last year, will be a hard team to catch up to once down.

POSTGAME:

Bravo to this Texans defense, they are a massive reason for this win. I understand it’s a team game, but they came up huge today. Tua Tagovailoa was 29/40 with 196 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INTs, one of those coming on the first play of their final drive down just 8 points. Bad mistake from Tua. Tyreek Hill was held to just 36 yards on only two catches, and he was targeted seven times. Derek Stingley Jr. did a great job shadowing Hill, who always proves to be a problem, when in a groove. This season, he’s been in anything but a groove. The Dolphins had 224 yards of total offense, which bested Houston who only had 181 total yards. But you know what they say, defense wins championships. I don’t know about a Super Bowl, but the Texans defense dominated and cleared a nice path for victory in their surge towards the playoffs, as the Dolphins slowly fall out of the race.