2018 NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Cowboys hot, Steelers not

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to the throw the ball pressured by Anthony Walker #50 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

. 9-4. Previous: . Houston Texans. 5. team. 10

Recap: A year ago, the Texans dropped their final six games. The club opened 2018 with three straight losses. Now that nine-game overall skid has been offset by the same number of consecutive victories heading into Sunday’s rematch with the Indianapolis Colts. But the AFC South leaders trailed 17-7 at intermission and watched Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck shred their secondary for 399 yards and a pair of touchdowns (1 interception). Houston’s ground attack was limited to 89 yards and Deshaun Watson was sacked five times. All told, one of the better defenses in the league allowed a disappointing 436 total yards on 50 plays.

Next Week: Last season, the Texans and New York Jets both finished last in their respective divisions. Now these teams meet on a Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in a battle of clubs obviously headed in different directions. Houston came away with a 24-17 home victory in 2015 when last these clubs squared off.

Playoff hopes: Once the rival Titans won on Thursday night, O’Brien’s team was not able to clinch the AFC South even with a victory over the Colts. Now both Tennessee and Indianapolis are two games behind the first-place Texans with three weeks to play. The team now looks to rebound and faces a short week.

Next: No. 4

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