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NFL power rankings: 2019 edition – Patriots finish on top, again

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Benardrick McKinney #55 after sacking Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Benardrick McKinney #55 after sacking Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

11. Houston Texans (11-6)

Won AFC South

Reached AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Season Review: For only the sixth time in NFL history, a team overcame a 0-3 start to reach the playoffs. Bill O’Brien’s Texans rebounded from three straight losses to win nine consecutive games and eventually the club’s third AFC South title in four years. It took second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson a few games to settle in and get comfortable (after injuring his knee the previous November) and the Texans put their share of points on the board, with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins having  huge year. Defensive end J.J. Watt was another great comeback story. But the club’s postseason stay lasted only one afternoon.

2018 Turning Point: It would easy to say it was the start of a nine-game winning streak that would propel the Texans to the playoffs. But it was actually a 24-21 home loss to Indianapolis in Week 14 that would be the first of two to the Colts at home in the span of five games, making for a short postseason experience.

2019 Priorities: Will the Texans put the franchise tag on outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney or get the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft under contract before free agency starts? The Texans would also surely love to retain talented safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was solid in his first year with the team.

Next: No. 10

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