The Houston Texans earned a measure of respect with their 20-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football to kickoff Week 12.
In the Week 13 USA TODAY NFL power rankings, the first place squad from the AFC South secured a No. 7 ranking, the third-highest spot for an AFC team in the power poll.
It’s probably too early to draw a definitive conclusion, but it’s possible this defense might be playing better since J.J. Watt went down.
The Texans have had three games since Watt went down with injury. It may not be the defense so much as it is quarterback Deshaun Watson’s ability to make big plays and keep the Texans in virtually every game, save for Week 11’s 41-7 blowout loss at the Baltimore Ravens.
Houston could climb even higher in the power rankings with a win over the New England Patriots on Dec. 1 on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium.
