What a difference a three-game winning streak makes. Before playing the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 23, the Houston Texans were 3-3 and in danger of letting a promising season slip through their fingers.
Now, after beating the Cleveland Browns 30-12 on Sunday, Houston is in the top five of SBNation's latest NFL Power Rankings:
5. Houston Texans (6-3, LW: 11): Wade Phillips has been there for a few months and the Texans went from the 30th ranked defense last year to No. 1 (in yards) through nine weeks this season. Incredible.
In Andre Johnson's absence, the Texans have dominated on the ground, with RB's Arian Foster and Ben Tate combining for 239 yards on 31 carries with 2 TD's against the Browns.
The defense, despite Mario Williams' season-ending injury, has stiffened as well, giving up 182.6 yards passing and 91.4 yards rushing a game, good for second and fourth in the NFL respectively.
With a 6-3 record, they are 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Tennessee Titans and are the only team with a positive point differential (+79) in the AFC South.
For the latest news and notes on the Texans, Houston fans should check out Battle Red Blog.