Texans clinch AFC South after win over Bengals

The Houston Texans clinched the AFC South after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 12-10, in Week 16.

Along with picking up a win against the Bengals, the Texans needed the Tennessee Titans to lose against the Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch the division title. Earlier in the day, Jacksonville picked up a 38-17 win over the Titans, who lost quarterback Marcus Mariota to a broken leg.

The Saturday night matchup against the Bengals was a low-scoring affair, with the Texans carrying a 6-3 lead into the fourth quarter. But when Cincinnati finally found the end zone with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell, Houston quickly responded with a 26-yard run by Alfred Blue to take back the lead.

Cincinnati had one final chance with a game-winning field goal attempt in the final seconds of the game, but Randy Bullock missed the 43-yard attempt wide right.

Throughout the entire season, the Texans’ defense played well and always kept the team competitive in games, even though they lost all-world defensive player J.J. Watt early in the season. They entered Week 16 with the league’s top defense, behind a breakout year from 2014 first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

It was the team’s defense that locked up a trip to the postseason Saturday by shutting down the Bengals’ offense.

However, Houston’s offense struggled for most of the year, especially in the passing game.

Led by Texans running back Lamar Miller, Houston has one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, but they were without Miller Saturday night due to an ankle injury. Miller has rushed for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was inconsistent this season and couldn’t avoid committing back-breaking turnovers in Houston’s Week 15 matchup against the Jaguars. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien benched Osweiler after throwing two interceptions in the first half. Tom Savage replaced Osweiler and led the team to a 21-20 victory.

In his first career start, Savage finished with 176 yards, and didn’t throw any interceptions, although he didn’t throw any touchdowns either.

Last season, Houston won the AFC South, but got routed 30-0 by the Chiefs in the playoffs. For a better result this year, the Texans have to play great defense and keep running the ball. Savage will have to keep drives alive, make a couple of big plays with his arm, and avoid turnovers.