Convenience Big Store: Texans are AFC South champions and will host Browns

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It was the last game of the season in December of 1977 when the Oilers, out of playoff contention, beat Cincinnati to knock the Bengals out of the playoffs and let the Pittsburgh Steelers in. Pittsburgh's players thanked the Oilers with attache cases.

It's too early to say if the Texans will give the Titans, who as we all know were once the Oilers, any gifts after Tennessee beat Jacksonville on Sunday to give Houston the AFC South title. In one other bit of coincidence, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson had 236 yards on 14 touches in that 1977 win over Cincinnati. Tennessee inducted him in its ring of honor this year when the Texans were in town.

But back to this season. The Texans, who are division champions for the seventh time and first since the 2019 season, will host Cleveland at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the first round.

Houston's return to the postseason and how they did it, with their win over the Colts on Saturday, has a lot of people happy, from J.J. Watt to Warren Moon to Jim Harbaugh.

At the center of the Texans' win on Saturday was wide receiver Nico Collins. As DeMeco Ryans says, Houston doesn't win that game without Collins.

Before the Texans reclaim NRG Stadium, unbeatens Washington and Michigan will meet on Monday for the national title. Brent Zwerneman breaks down the game.

For Michigan, it could be the last for coach Jim Harbaugh, who may be in the mix for NFL jobs, but is always there for his players. For Washington, the Huskies have three top-flight receivers who make it look easy for quarterback Michael Penix.

On the air, ESPN's Jess Sims reflects on her start as a teacher in HISD.

The Rockets won't be in town for awhile. After a big win over Milwaukee on Saturday, Houston starts its longest road trip of the season with a game against the Heat in Miami.

Stat of the day: 368. Yards passing by Cleveland's Joe Flacco when the Browns beat the Texans 36-22 on Dec. 24. The teams meet again in the playoffs on Saturday at NRG.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) loses the handle on the ball as he is hit by Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Houston. He recovered his own fumble.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Texans win AFC South and will host Browns at 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Tennessee's win over Jacksonville gives Houston the division title and a home game against Cleveland to start AFC playoffs

'Big-time': Nico Collins caught nine passes for career-best 195 yards and a touchdown and was a big reason Houston beat Colts to make playoffs
'Damn, I'm happy for you': On CBS' NFL pregame show Sunday, J.J. Watt was just as stoked as Texans fans about his former team's return to the postseason after a three-season absence.
View from the Moon: Former Oilers QB Warren Moon had a glowing review of C.J. Stroud.
Michigan man: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was watching his former receiver Nico Collins as the Texans defeated the Colts to earn a playoff berth.
Ticket time: As AFC South champs, the Texans will host a playoff game against the Cleveland Browns and tickets are on sale now.
2024 opponents: As AFC South champions, Texans will be matched with other division winners in AFC and Cowboys from AFC

College Football

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Michigan-Washington winner to remember Houston as perfect setting

The Wolverines and Huskies, both 14-0, have been all business heading into Monday's national championship matchup at NRG Stadium.

One of a kind: Jim Harbaugh is the rare coach who spends his Christmas with chickens or will sing a 1970s hit on the team bus.
Hands team: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan will present a challenge for Michigan in CFP title game
The matchups: What to expect from Washington and Michigan in title game.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) waits to take foul shots in the second half of NBA game action against the Detroit Pistons at the Toyota Center on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in Houston. Houston Rockets won the game 136-113.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Road trip

The Rockets, 3-10 overall on the road, begin their longest trip of the season with Monday's matchup against the Heat.

Sports media

Before rising to fame as a Peloton instructor and later landing on ESPN's 'College Gameday,' Jess Sims was an elementary school teacher in HISD fresh out of college.

Photo by: Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images

ESPN's Jess Sims on days as HISD teacher before her rise to fame

Before making it big as a Peloton instructor and landing on ESPN's "College Gameday," Jess Sims was an elementary school teacher in HISD fresh out of college. She reflects on that time in Houston.