The Houston Texans received an early Christmas gift on Saturday. Thanks to a listless performance by the Indianapolis Colts and a brutal injury that befell Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, a murky playoff picture in the AFC South cleared considerably.
All the Texans had to do was beat the floundering Cincinnati Bengals and the division title was theirs.
Houston cashed in, winning the game (and the South) 12-10. But amidst the smiles and confetti something is most assuredly rotten in Houston. This win was the Chia Pet of Christmas gifts—an unimpressive effort that did absolutely nothing to change the perception the Texans' playoff run will be short-lived.