2011 Playoff Run

Lore & Background

The playoff journey was nothing short of miraculous. In the Wild Card Round, the Texans hosted the Cincinnati Bengals and defeated them by a score of 31-10. It remains one of the most iconic home victories in franchise history. The momentum carried them to the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens. Although they ultimately fell short in a tight contest in Baltimore, the run proved that Houston had arrived as a contender in the American Football Conference.

In Their Own Story

The cold air of Foxborough bit at the faces of the Texans players as they lined up for the final drive. Matt Schaub, eyes locked on the end zone, felt the weight of ten years of 'almost' pressing down on him. The crowd roared, a deafening wall of sound from the Patriots faithful, but inside the huddle, the silence was absolute. With seconds ticking away, Schaub snapped his head up, spotted Andre Johnson breaking free in the corner, and launched a spiral that cut through the winter wind like a knife. It wasn't just a touchdown; it was a declaration.

Reader's Guide

The campaign concluded with a heartbreaking but proud loss in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore. Despite the defeat, the season is remembered as the year the Texans broke through the glass ceiling of their own history. It set the standard for future teams and established a culture of belief that would define the franchise for years to come.

Did You Know?

• The 2011 playoff victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was the first playoff win in franchise history.
• T.J. Yates' performance against the Bengals marked his first career playoff win and set a high bar for future quarterbacks.
• The team finished 10-6, which was their best regular-season record at that point in franchise history.