Week 9 NFL Power Rankings: Houston Texans Right Outside Of Top Ten

In the latest round of NFL Power Rankings from SBNation, the Houston Texans remained at No. 11 after their 24-14 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars:

11. Houston Texans (5-3, LW: 11): Games coming up against the Browns, Bucs and Jags? Win now to avoid a collapse later, Houston.

Only three weeks ago, the season looked on the brink of disaster, as Houston lost 29-14 to the Baltimore Ravens and dropped to 3-3 in the wake of injuries to Mario Williams and Andre Johnson.

Now, after a two-week winning streak against two divisional opponents, the Texans are back in the driver's seat of the AFC South race. Houston is the only team in the division with a positive point differential, while the second place Titans are nine spots behind them at No. 20. 

The schedule only gets easier in the next three weeks, and if the Texans can win a tough road game at Tampa Bay, they could have a 8-3 record and be in position to clinch the first playoff berth in franchise history.

For more news, information and analysis on the Texans, check out the Battle Red Blog.