The Houston Texans have not secured an AFC South title since 2012 and have been sent on early vacations in each season since, failing to qualify for even a wild card spot. However, they entered week 16 eligible to end that dry spell for the franchise.
It was quite simple for Houston on Sunday: win and you’re in…possibly. And they answered the bell in the exact fashion Houston fans hoped they would. Here’s this week’s pick 6 on the Texans’ commanding 34-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Pick 1: That’s a shutout in my eyes
From opening kickoff, Tennessee was thoroughly dominated until they managed a completely meaningless touchdown with 1:31 remaining in the game. Houston played better on offense, defense 
and special teams from the coin toss until the final whistle but were disappointed they couldn’t finish the job and keep the Titans from scoring.
“We didn’t want them to get into the end zone,” J.J Watt said. “Your defense is holding on to a shutout, and we’ve been playing great all day. You don’t want to let them in. That’s my job.”
Watt might not count it as a shutout, but I do.
Pick 2: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
Houston claimed Brandon Weeden off waivers five weeks ago in a desperate move to help plug up the holes they have been dealing with all season at the QB spot. They took a chance and brought him in because of his professionalism and Weeden made good on their investment Sunday.
After a slow start he finished the day 15-of-24 for 200 yards, with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and a 116.7 passer rating. Before Sunday’s win, Weeden was riding an 11-game losing streak that stretched over 1,113 days. His play was a testament to the professionalism the Texans saw in him and also to Houston’s coaching staff for putting him in the best position to win.
Pick 3: Dominating Defensive Performance
Kudos to Brandon Weeden for leading the troops on offense but much of his success should be credited to the way the Texans played on defense. Tennessee only gained 30 yards on the ground and only threw for 227 yards despite 51 attempts. Out of their total 257 yards, 152 came in the fourth quarter, when the game was clearly over.
The Houston defense also forced three turnovers, starting with the fumble returned for a touchdown by safety Quentin Demps on Tennessee’s opening drive. Like I said earlier, forget the scoreboard, for all intents and purposes this was a shutout that the Texans earned.
Pick 4: It doesn’t matter who the QB is, Nuk is going to Ball
Deandre Hopkins continued his sensational season Sunday with seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. This isn’t news and it shouldn’t be any surprise to you. Sunday marked the sixth 
100-yard game of his Pro-Bowl season.
What is worthy of discussion is how Nuk has sustained success in a season filled with uncertainty at the team’s most important position. It’s unfortunate but what he has grown accustomed to in his three-year career never having one quarterback for all 16 games. Despite the QB carousel, Hopkins has remained accountable, and has caught touchdowns from all four starting quarterbacks this year. He deserves tremendous credit for developing chemistry with them and maintaining his role as the no 1 option with all the ambiguity around him.
Pick 5: Eddie Pleasant’s Interception
This was an amazing play to start but the reason I’m bringing attention to it is because of what it symbolized. Antonio Andrews caught a pass and was instantly corralled by Pleasant short of a first down, but the play didn’t end there.
As Pleasant brought Andrews to the ground he ripped the ball away for an interception, his second of the season. It was an incredible play that in a snapshot was indicative of how this team is willing to literally claw the game from someone else. It showed desperation and fight, exactly what Houston fans want to see out of this bunch at this time of the year.
Pick 6: There is still work to be done
Houston did exactly what they needed to do to clinch their playoff spot. Unfortunately, Indianapolis isn’t going away that easy. With the Colts win over the Dolphins, they are still in contention to steal back the division crown in week 17. But because of the huge victory Houston earned against Indianapolis two weeks ago, they are still in the driver’s seat. All they have to do is beat the (5-10) Jacksonville Jaguars. Win and they’re in. It’s that simple. There are other scenarios involved but there is no need for them if the Texans beat an inferior division rival.
“Quite frankly, it really doesn’t matter what anybody else does,” Watt said. “We go out there and we win next week, that’s all that matters.”
