By KRISTIE RIEKEN
HOUSTON — The Texans went from worst to first in just one season.
The Texans, who finished last in the AFC South last season, clinched the division title Jan. 7 when Tennessee beat Jacksonville, 28-20, to eliminate the Jaguars from playoff contention.
Houston (10-7) secured its first playoff trip since 2019 with a 23-19 victory at Indianapolis on Jan. 6 before becoming the division champion on Sunday. It’s the first time the Texans have won the division since 2019 and their seventh AFC South title.
The Texans are the fourth seed in the AFC and will host fifth-seeded Cleveland on Jan. 13.
The team’s social media accounts posted a picture of first-year coach DeMeco Ryans and several players with the caption: “This is just the beginning. Your AFC South Champions.”
Ryans and star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to put the Texans back in the postseason. The Texans went 3-13-1 last season. Houston won just four games each in 2020 and 2021.
Stroud reposted the team’s post on Instagram and added the caption: “Letsss goooooo!!!!” and rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr., taken third overall in the draft, also reposted it with the words “We didn’t come this far to come this far!!”
Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the draft, threw for 264 yards Saturday night to give him 4,108 yards passing this season. It’s the third-most yards passing by a rookie in NFL history, trailing only Andrew Luck (4,374 in 2012) and Justin Herbert (4,336 in 2020).
His strong performance was the biggest reason for the turnaround in Houston. Until drafting Stroud, the Texans had failed to find an answer at quarterback since Deshaun Watson refused to play after requesting a trade. Watson was dealt to Cleveland before last season.
![By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP23133215495908.jpg?w=499 "By TOM WITHERS The Browns began trying to fill an unexpected vacancy on Thursday by interviewing Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be their offensive coordinator. Dickerson previously worked in Cleveland on coach Eric Mangini’s staff in 2009-10. On Wednesday, coordinator Alex Van Pelt parted ways with the Browns after four seasons working under coach Kevin Stefanski. Van Pelt’s departure was surprising since he appeared to enjoy his time in Cleveland and was instrumental in helping the Browns make the playoffs while coping with numerous injuries on offense. It’s still not known why Van Pelt left. General manager Andrew Berry is […]")
![Alex Van Pelt, the team’s offensive coordinator since 2020 when Kevin Stefanski was hired as head coach, will not be back with the Browns next season. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell was fired and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney will not be retained. The news was first reported by Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. A league source confirmed the decisions on Mitchell and McCartney. The source said Van Pelt is under contract to the Browns for 2024 and that a decision hasn’t been finalized, but Van Pelt confirmed the news himself in a text message to Jake Trotter of ESPN. […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-Browns-0118-01-1.jpg?w=525 "Alex Van Pelt, the team’s offensive coordinator since 2020 when Kevin Stefanski was hired as head coach, will not be back with the Browns next season. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell was fired and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney will not be retained. The news was first reported by Josina Anderson of CBS Sports. A league source confirmed the decisions on Mitchell and McCartney. The source said Van Pelt is under contract to the Browns for 2024 and that a decision hasn’t been finalized, but Van Pelt confirmed the news himself in a text message to Jake Trotter of ESPN. […]")