The scoreboard at NRG Stadium reads Houston Texans 23, Las Vegas Raiders 21. On paper, it’s a seventh consecutive victory, a feat the franchise hasn’t achieved since 2018. But for anyone who watched all four quarters of this Week 16 nail-biter, the feeling in the air isn't just "victory", it's a mix of relief and genuine concern.

If you had told a Texans fan on Sunday morning that the league’s #1 ranked defense would be facing the NFL's worst offense (averaging a meager 14 points per game), most would have predicted a blowout. Instead, we witnessed a powerhouse team nearly trip over its own shoelaces against a 2-12 Raiders squad.

Let’s start with the silver lining. Derek Stingley Jr. continues to prove why he belongs in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. His 31-yard pick-six in the first quarter wasn't just a highlight; it was the ultimate safety net for an offense that struggled to find its rhythm.

Additionally, C.J. Stroud showed veteran poise when it mattered most. While 187 passing yards won’t jump off the stat sheet, his 1-yard touchdown strike to Dalton Schultz—which broke the franchise record for tight end receptions, provided the cushion Houston desperately needed.

The real story, however, is the lack of a "killer instinct." The Texans had multiple opportunities to put this game away. Instead, they allowed Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty to look like Barry Sanders, torching the league's top defense for 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a late 51-yard dash that made every heart in Houston skip a beat.

Winning ugly is a skill in the NFL, but doing it against a team on an eight-game losing streak is a dangerous habit. With the Jacksonville Jaguars still holding a one-game lead in the AFC South, the Texans cannot afford these offensive lulls. Relying on Ka’imi Fairbairn’s leg and defensive scores might get you past the Raiders, but it won't get you past the heavy hitters in the playoffs.

The Texans are officially 10-5 and in the "thick of it," as they say, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the AFC South crown. They are resilient, they are well-coached, and they find ways to win. But "finding a way" against the Raiders shouldn't have been this hard. 

 This win all but cements their status as a postseason lock, currently holding the No. 7 seed in the AFC. With only two games remaining in the regular season, the Texans are in a prime position to clinch a playoff berth as early as next week, however, their eyes remain on a potential home-field advantage if they can leapfrog Jacksonville in the final stretch  

As they look toward the final stretch of the season, Houston needs to decide who they are. They are a dominant AFC contender and a team that plays to the level of its opponent. For now, we’ll take the "W," but the margin for error just got a lot thinner.