The Houston Texans just can’t seem to catch a break.

Despite clinching their first playoff berth since joining the league in 2002, they are the No. 1 team other playoff contenders want to face in the AFC.

The defense was completely revamped in the offseason with the additions of free agent CB Johnathan Joseph and S Danieal Manning and draft picks DE J.J. Watt and LB Brooks Reed. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Houston has gone from one of the worst defenses in the league to a unit that is third against the pass and fourth against the run.

All of that is great—except for the fact they don’t have a QB.

As soon as QB Matt Schaub was KO’ed for the year, the Texans were Texas toast.

T.J. Yates gave his teammates a sense of false hope in a last-second come-from-behind win against the Bengals, but has reminded everyone why he was a fifth-round pick in the last two weeks. Losing to the Panthers at home by 15 points is unacceptable for a playoff team. Losing to the Colts is unacceptable for a six-win team.
Now that teams have tape on Yates, his numbers have fallen off a cliff. In his first two starts Yates threw for 488 yards and three TDs with only one INT. In his last two games against two bad teams he has thrown for 344 yards with zero TDs and two INTs.

The other big injury was the one that claimed Mario Williams’ season. The DE turned linebacker had adjusted beautifully to his new role and losing him left a gaping hole in the middle of the field. Losing Andre Johnson to a leg injury for seemingly the entire season hasn’t helped either. How healthy will he be for the playoffs?

Right now the most likely scenario is a re-match with the Cincinnati Bengals. While they may be dealing with various injuries as well, they still have their starting quarterback and a defense with plenty of depth. Factor that in with the bitter taste of that crushing loss in Week 14 and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Texans win a playoff game.

If they escape the Bengals, the Ravens, Steelers and Patriots loom, all teams that are better than Houston even when they have a healthy Schaub.

It’s been a fun rid for Houston, but their time is about to be up.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1003019-nfl-playoff-picture-texans-have-the-look-of-a-one-and-done-team-in-afc