A new-look Houston Texans roster entering mid-October? It seems like it after a win across the pond?

With a game-sealing drive in the fourth quarter, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud did everything possible to set up Ka'imi Fairbairn in range for a 49-yard game-winning field goal, securing the 34-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on the slippery grass at Wembley Stadium.

Houston, which has now won back-to-back games, improves to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the AFC South.

“His mindset was 'Hey, I got you Coach, don’t worry about it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Fairbairn. “When a player tells me that, that just gives me the confidence that I need. He responded in an outstanding way.”

The NFL's most clutch kicker was only a footnote in the Texans' promising outing across the pond. Stroud, who finally threw his first interception after 209 pass attempts, drove down the field with ease, completing 70.6 percent for his passes for 312 yards and three touchdown passes, including two to Foster Moreau in the red zone.

Second-year wide receiver Jaylin Noel gave reason as to why his role should expand in the future, totaling his first 100-yard career outing. The icing on top of the cake? A 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter to extend Houston's lead to 10.

As for the Giants, they're coming off a 34-27 loss at home to the New Orleans Saints, but could have a bit of life with the arrival of new quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The former top-10 pick replaced Jameis Winston down by 24 in the fourth quarter and added a spark following his interception.

He threw for 243 yards and a touchdown while leading two scoring drives to bring New York within a score.

With a win, the Texans would move to 3-4 entering the bye week, which is far from the expected win total at the start of the year, but would mark the start of an actual winning streak. But where do they rank among contenders after a wn in London?

Let's take a quick look at where the Texans sit among NFL power rankings throughout the major publications entering Sunday's matchup at Reliant Stadium.

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 20 (Last Week 26)

From Davis: "They continue to have one of the league's least-efficient run games. But that defense, QB C.J. Stroud's inspired play and an upgraded wideout corps − not to mention DeMeco Ryans calling the defensive plays again − suggest this team could go on another long heater."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 15 (Last Week 23)

From Prisco: "That was a big-time victory in London over the Jaguars. C.J. Stroud is really playing at a high level, but the defense has to pick it up."

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 17 (Last Week 24)

From Schwab: "The 2025 Texans started 0-3, blew out a hapless Titans team, then got a 44-10 win against the Ravens and that led to a 12-5 record and a playoff berth. This season's Texans started 0-4, blew out a hapless Titans team and then got a huge 34-31 win against a good Jaguars team in London. The next four games are vs. Giants, at Chargers, at Browns, vs. Colts. Those teams rank 28th, 31st, 21st and 25th in DVOA. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but there's an opportunity for the Texans to be 6-4 in a month."

Nick Shook, NFL.com: 14 (Last Week 25)

From Shook: "Don’t look now, but the Texans are clawing their way back into relevance! Houston’s defense isn’t the shutdown unit it was in years past, but the talent-laden group has inched itself closer to familiarity since DeMeco Ryans took the play-calling reins. Most importantly, C.J. Stroud is playing some of the best football of his career. His performance in London was simply exquisite (save for his late interception in the end zone), and if the Texans can sustain their turnaround, he’ll force his way into the MVP conversation."

The Score: 20 (Last Week 24)

From The Score: "After fizzling out in Arizona, Marvin Harrison Jr. has a fresh start with the Texans. But make no mistake: There are no excuses this time. The 2024 fourth overall pick needs to deliver on his potential or else he'll quickly start bouncing around the league. Harrison caught three passes for 34 yards in his Texans debut, a win over the Jaguars."

Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 17 (Last Week 21)

From Kendall: "Houston’s slow start was not the fault of its quarterback. Stroud, who is in the fourth year of his rookie deal and is headed toward interesting contract negotiations with the Texans, is 16th in the league in fantasy scoring (112.2) and on pace for the best passer rating (100.9) and EPA per dropback (0.15) numbers of his career. The Texans have won two in a row after Sunday’s victory in London."

Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report: 19 (Last Week 24)

From Knox: "Houston's defense hasn't been nearly as dominant as it was a year ago. However, C.J. Stroud is playing at a Pro Bowl level and leads a balanced offense—when healthy—that will give the Texans a chance to win more often than not. New wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had just three receptions for 34 yards in his Texans debut on Sunday, but he should help open up the passing attack. Climbing out of a2-4 hole will be difficult, of course. However, Houston did exactly that last season and made it to the divisional round. This is a team that must be taken seriously moving forward, even if it is still chasing the early playoff field."

Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 19 (Last Week 23)

Super Bowl odds: +3000

From Vacchiano: "They’re baaaaaack! Everyone thought the Texans were dead at 0-4. … OK, I thought they were dead, but I wasn’t the only one. But they got right two weeks ago against the awful Titans and stayed right with a terrific 34-31 win in London against the Jaguars. C.J. Stroud finally looks like the franchise QB he was supposed to be. He has plenty of weapons, with the addition of WR Marvin Harrison Jr. But what happened to DeMeco Ryans’ defense? It’s not nearly as dominant as it once was. If the Texans can fix it, they’re a good bet to become the second-ever team to start 0-4 and make the playoffs."

From Orr: "Forget about the defense. The narrative heading into the trade deadline should be: How much more help can Houston provide C.J. Stroud, who is playing at a top-10 level over the course of the last month and seeing the field better than he has in two years. My take? Call Philadelphia and see what Saquon Barkley has left in the tank."

D.J. Bien-Aime, ESPN: 16 (Last Week 21)

From Bien-Aime: "The Texans' passing attack is humming, as quarterback C.J. Stroud ranks second league-wide in passing yards (1,712), but an effective run game would take this offense to the top tier. They're averaging 84.8 rushing yards per game (25th) and have 32 rushing first downs on the season (tied for 22nd). Running back David Montgomery, who was acquired via trade in March, is averaging a career-low 2.7 yards per carry and missed Week 6 because of a groin injury. "

Cole Thompson, Texans Wire: 17 (Last Week 19)

From Thompson: "Win a game, trade for a potential game-changing wide receiver. That's what the Texans did after their victory on the road in Nashville. Right now, they’re in the race to come back in the AFC South, so trading a second-round pick for WR Marvin Harrison Jr. in theory makes sense. Should Houston lose across the pond, well, at least it has C.J. Stroud's favorite college wideout for the next two seasons.."