The Houston Texans essentially handed the Chargers two losses on Saturday.
By defeating Los Angeles, 20-16, Houston simultaneously clinched a spot in the playoffs and allowed the Denver Broncos to clinch an AFC West title, ensuring the Bolts will be a wild-card team.
Houston is no stranger to earning a postseason triumph against L.A., having beaten the Chargers last season in the AFC Wild Card Round. With another win in a playoff-like atmosphere, DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud notched their third postseason berth in three seasons as a head coach-quarterback duo.
It's been Ryans' defense that's been the lynchpin for the Texans' success and in-season comeback.
Houston was 0-3 to start the season but has now rallied back with an eight-game winning streak to improve to 11-5. Houston, which also advanced to the playoffs in 2018 after starting 0-3, is now the first franchise to make the postseason in multiple years after winless starts through three weeks.
The defense, led by an all-star defensive backfield and standout pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, was the No. 1 overall unit coming into Week 17 and has been the driving force behind Houston's success.
Before another trip to the playoffs, the Texans end their season against the Indianapolis Colts.
Sean Payton's Broncos completed the first part of their AFC West-clinching formula by beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Thursday. Thanks to Los Angeles' loss taking care of the rest, Denver has now clinched the franchise's first division title since 2015.
The Chiefs had won the past nine AFC West titles, but their streak was officially ended three weeks ago, giving Denver its turn with the crown.
Payton, who has turned the club around since taking the helm in 2023, has claimed his first division title since guiding the New Orleans Saints to the NFC South crown in 2020.
Denver (13-3) has rolled to 12 wins in its last 13 games and sits atop the AFC with a chance to claim the conference's top seed and the playoff bye that goes with it on Sunday should the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars lose on Sunday.
The playoffs are almost here and you won't want to miss a moment. Now you don't have to! With NFL+ Premium, watch every playoff game live on mobile, get NFL RedZone during the regular season, stream game replays, and more! And for a limited time, get 40% off an NFL+ annual plan. Offer ends 2/16/26. Sign up today!
