C.J. Stroud, Texans Clinch 2026 NFL Playoff Berth, Updated Standings and Bracket

The Houston Texans are going to the playoffs for the third straight year.

Houston clinched a postseason spot Saturday with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

While expectations were once again high for the Texans entering the season after two straight AFC Divisional Round appearances, it didn't always look like they were heading to the playoffs.

In fact, they lost their first three games of the 2025 campaign to the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. That was quite the hole to dig out of, and even a 3-2 mark in the next five games left them at 3-5 overall.

That quarterback C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion in the loss to the Denver Broncos that dropped Houston's record to 3-5 made reaching the playoffs seem even more unlikely.

Enter Davis Mills.

The backup signal-caller helped save the Texans' season by going 3-0 as a starter and defeating the Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills. Suddenly, the playoffs were back on the table in unexpected fashion, and Stroud took advantage upon his return.

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The winning streak continued after the Ohio State product returned to the lineup, which helped set the stage for yet another postseason appearance.

Houston's success goes well beyond the quarterback position, though.

Nico Collins has been excellent as the go-to receiver and surpassed 1,000 yards through the air for the third straight year. Rookie running back Woody Marks has also flashed at times, and veterans Nick Chubb and Dalton Schultz have contributed as well.

But Houston's Super Bowl chances likely run through the defense's dominance.

Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair and Derek Stingley Jr. headline one of the best units in the league. The Anderson and Hunter combination is nearly impossible to block for opposing offensive lines, and Stingley helps shut down go-to receivers when the quarterback is able to get passes off. 

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Having such a strong defense should help keep the Texans in any playoff game, which will give Stroud and Co. the opportunity to win in the key moments.

If they do, perhaps they can advance past the Divisional Round for the first time in franchise history.