Despite a record below .500, the 3-5 Houston Texans are contenders for the AFC South eight weeks into the season.
The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Carolina Panthers 29-26 Monday. The loss means the Colts and Texans are tied atop the division.
The Texans are on a bye week and could move into sole possession of first place if the Colts lose to the undefeated Denver Broncos (7-0) on Sunday.
Any NFL team that wins its division automatically makes the playoffs -- with or without a winning record. The two most recent teams to accomplish the feat were the 2010 Seattle Seahawks, who were 7-9, and the 2014 Panthers, who were 7-8-1.
The Texans' remaining schedule goes as follows:
Nov. 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals
Nov. 22 against the New York Jets
Nov. 29 against the New Orleans Saints
Dec. 6 against the Buffalo Bills
Dec. 13 against the New England PatriotsDec. 20 against the Indianapolis ColtsDec. 27 against the Tennessee Titans
Jan. 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars
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