The Houston Texans have given their playoff hopes a much-needed lifeline with their 34-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. However, some analysts are divided over how far the team can go.

The Texans opened the season with four consecutive losses but have now won back-to-back games. This has given rise to debate about their AFC South ambitions while raising questions about defensive consistency and postseason prospects.

C.J. Stroud, who ranks sixth on PFN’s QB Impact Rankings, delivered a standout performance at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

The result moved the Texans to 2-4, two games behind the 4-2 Jaguars in the AFC South. Yet analysts remain split between optimism about Houston’s offensive potential and skepticism about whether the team can overcome its difficult start.

Analysts Deliver Verdict on Texans’ Win vs. Jaguars

Here’s what the analysts from Pro Football Network had to say about Houston’s win today:

“The defense remains a major concern, but the Texans’ schedule is not that challenging compared to what they faced in the first four weeks,” Rolfe added. “You could make the case that the Texans will be either favored or a three-point underdog in all of their remaining 11 matchups.

The toughest remaining stretch comes with the Jaguars in Week 15, followed by trips to the Eagles and Packers in likely cold conditions at the end of the season. The Texans will want to head into that with no more than six losses on their record, so the margin for error between now and then is thin, but the odds will be in their favor in most spots until that Week 15 game.”

Rolfe also shared that per the PFN Win Probability Engine, the Texans are favored in six of their remaining 11 games:

• NYG – 53.4%

• at LAC – 56.3%

• at CLE – 46.6%

• IND – 50.5%

• BAL – 36.9%

• at PIT – 43.7%

• at WAS – 55.3%

• JAX – 34.0%

• at PHI – 53.4%

• at GB – 41.8%

• TEN – 62.1%

“Having said that, the Texans didn’t face a certifiable gauntlet in the first four weeks,” Cummings continued. “They lost to the Bills, Bengals, Colts, and Cowboys. The Colts’ fatal flaw is Daniel Jones, while the Bills, Cowboys, and Bengals (particularly the former two) have suspect defenses, and still, Houston wasn’t able to exploit that.

“Houston’s offensive line needs to improve, C.J. Stroud needs to play at this peak form consistently, and the defense needs to cut down on avoidable errors with sync and communication.”

“The path ahead clears the way, though,” Cummings added. “Houston plays the Giants, Chargers, and Browns next, with a home rematch against Indianapolis coming after. There’s a very realistic scenario where Houston goes 3-0 over the next three weeks, surpasses .500, and splits with Indianapolis to reach 6-4.”

“From there, no game is unwinnable. The AFC wild card race appears deep, with the Patriots, Steelers, Bengals, Broncos, and Raiders all in the field depending on how the divisions shake out. Thus, the margin for error is thin for Houston. This two-win streak is nice, and the victory against Jacksonville is particularly sweet, but there’s still work to do to make this a playoff comeback.”

He added, “I have faith that Houston can remain in the playoff race, but actually making it to the postseason seems like a reach.”