Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 33
Next
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans reaches for a pass on a two point conversion attempt defended by Joe Haden #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 25: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans reaches for a pass on a two point conversion attempt defended by Joe Haden #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Houston Texans. 29. team. 10. . L, 34-6 vs. Steelers. Previous:

Can 2018 just get here already?

Seriously, 2017 has been a shame for the Houston Texans, especially with all those injuries, and Week 16’s Christmas Day matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers was just one more indication how bad things have been.

Quarterback T.J. Yates — who was starting in place of Tom Savage, starting in place of Deshaun Watson — was forced out of the game briefly to one Taylor Heinicke.

Who?

In fairness, the Texans never had a chance. Running back Alfred Blue had a nice individual effort, cresting 100 yards, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’ amazing touchdown grab was a thing of beauty:

Too bad his talents were wasted on another lost season in Houston.