After defeating a Houston Texans team that deployed mostly backups, Tennessee Titans are 9-7 and headed to the playoffs as the AFC's sixth seed.

They will face the New England Patriots on the road next weekend in the first round of the postseason.

This is the second time under GM Jon Robinson (first under HC Mike Vrabel) that the Titans have made the postseason, but this appearance is much more shocking than the other considering how the Titans started this season and the way that they got things turned around.

After starting the season 2-4 over their next four games, the idea of the Titans making the playoffs seemed completely laughable.

Not only were they behind the eight-ball in terms of their record, but they failed miserably at the eye-test as well. The offense, especially, looked completely lifeless.

Ever since that point, the Titans have been a completely different team.

QB Ryan Tannehill's entrance to the starting lineup certainly helped things. His decisiveness, accuracy and general ability to run a clean operation took the offense to new levels.

But it would be unfair to the other members of the offense, all of whom have improved in their own regard, to not give them credit.

Aside from a secondary that has been injury-plagued and leaky as of late, every part of the Titans has gotten better since that 2-4 start.

As a result, not only have the Titans made the playoffs, but they are legitimately capable of making a run.

Cover image: Thomas Shea/USA Today