If the Houston Texans are to return to the NFL playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, they need to dig themselves out of a hole. Three losses to open the season put them well behind pace and made them one of five winless teams in the league. For most teams, this kind of early-season slump would be cause for panic.
In fact, the four other 0-3 teams are lumped into a group widely considered the lowest tier in the NFL pecking order. The Texans are not part of that conversation. The reasons they avoided the same discourse tied to the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and other bottom dwellers are that one, they are far more talented and boast an elite defense.
Two, it was just last year that they climbed out of a 0-3 rut to reach the postseason. That monstrous defense did not play up to expectations in Weeks 1-3. Houston's offense sputtered, as well.
Still, there is room to believe they will reverse their fortunes and get back on the road to the playoffs. Here is why coach DeMeco Ryans can make his fourth divisional round appearance in as many years to open his career. Last year's 0-3 start was a product of bad offense and poor luck.
Those factors played similar roles through the first three games of this season. The Texans stand in a tie with the Los Angeles Chargers for the worst luck rating in the NFL, per TeamRankings, and it is not hard to see why. Coin-flip plays and flukes have gone strongly against them.
Take Kamari Lassiter's dropped interception in Week 1, for example. The standout cornerback had a chance to seal a victory over the Buffalo Bills but could not hang onto a straightforward takeaway opportunity, and the Bills capitalized with a game-winning touchdown. Had he held onto the ball, the Texans would have opened the year at 1-0 with a win over the team most agree is the best in the league.
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