Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson approached the podium at his post-game press conference with a smile on his face that displayed joy and pain.

On one hand, he had just led Houston (10-5) to a 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Bucs (7-8) to capture the 2019 AFC South title for the second straight year in a row. It was the Texans' fourth title in the last five years. On the other hand, the offense struggled in the win and that causes some concern for a team headed into the playoffs hoping not to have a repeat performance of last year’s Wild Card Weekend defeat to the Indianapolis Colts when they were eliminated from the 2018 playoffs.

“This is not the ultimate goal,” said Watson on winning the AFC South. “This is one goal to get us to where we want to go. For the ultimate goal, we got our shot. We have our opportunities, so we definitely want to celebrate this and build on this one and then finish up next week and then get ready for the big show.”

Houston’s defense came out the gate looking like they were prepared for the “Big Show” as cornerback Bradley Roby picked off Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston (335 yards passing, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions) and ran the interception back 27-yards to put the Texans on the board early. That turnover was just the first of many as the Texans forced a season high five turnovers (4 interceptions, 1 fumble) which was the most they have had since Week 4 of the 2017 season when they had the same number of turnovers against the Tennessee Titans.

“We started out fast,” said Texans safety Justin Reid who also benefitted from a Winston miscue. “We had a great scheme. DB coaches, defensive coaches – all of them did a fantastic job just preparing us and having us prepared for when we get in certain formations and tendencies that we get what we want to get, and it came through for us.”

The Texans offense was unable to take advantage of the outstanding performance the defense was displaying against Tampa Bay. Watson was held to 187 yards passing and no touchdowns, while the run game was rendered null and void as running back Carlos Hyde finished second behind Watson (37 yards) with 27 rushing yards on 17 carries.

“It’s a team game,” Hyde told reporters after the game. “It wasn’t pretty for us on the offensive side of the ball, but that’s why we have our defense and special teams though. Those units came through for us today.”

Having already clinched a playoff berth and the division title, the Texans still may be playing a meaningful game on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans at NRG. The number three seed in the AFC is still up for grabs with the Kansas City Chiefs currently in that spot. If the Chiefs lose to the Los Angeles Chargers in the earlier game, it will be interesting to see if Coach O’Brien plays his starters the entire game. Houston owns the tie-breaker over the Chiefs when they defeated them in week six at Arrowhead Stadium by a score of 31-24.

“I think that any time we take the field, based on what we're all about, our program and what we're trying to do here and what we've tried to build here, or six years is we're about trying to win,” O’Brien said.

On behalf of our entire sports department, I would like to say congratulations to the 2019 AFC South Champions, Houston Texans.