Team Overview

The Houston Texans are entering the 2024/2025 NFL season with a renewed sense of optimism, driven by a roster overhaul and the leadership of head coach DeMeco Ryans. After finishing last season with a 3-13-1 record, the Texans are focused on rebuilding and developing their young talent. The team has made significant changes in the offseason, including the acquisition of key draft picks and free agents, aiming to improve their competitiveness in the AFC South.

Offensive Line Analysis

The Texans have prioritized strengthening their offensive line to better protect their young quarterback, C.J. Stroud. The addition of high draft picks and experienced players is expected to enhance the line’s stability and effectiveness. The offensive line’s performance will be crucial in supporting the development of Stroud and the overall offensive strategy, which aims to be more balanced and dynamic.

Defensive Line Analysis

Houston’s defensive line is undergoing a transformation under the guidance of DeMeco Ryans, known for his defensive expertise. The Texans have invested in young talent through the draft and free agency to bolster their pass rush and run defense. The development of these players will be key to improving a defense that struggled last season. The defensive line’s ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and stop the run will be critical in their quest to climb the divisional standings.

2024 NFL Season

Week 9 Preview vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Houston Texans (3-5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6)

After a frustrating loss to the Panthers, the Texans return home to face a Buccaneers team that has struggled offensively this season. C.J. Stroud will need better protection from his offensive line, and if they can hold up, Stroud should have success against Tampa Bay’s secondary. Dameon Pierce will also play a key role, as establishing the run will help keep the pressure off Stroud. Houston’s defense will look to create turnovers and disrupt Tampa Bay’s struggling quarterback play.

Week 8 review Houston Texans (3-5) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-6)

Result: Carolina Panthers 15 – 13 Houston Texans
Record: 3-5

In a disappointing performance, the Houston Texans fell to the struggling Carolina Panthers in a low-scoring game. C.J. Stroud threw for 212 yards and one touchdown but was sacked five times by Carolina’s defense, which held up remarkably well against the Texans’ offensive line. Houston’s running game stalled, with Dameon Pierce held to just 40 rushing yards. The Panthers’ kicker hit a game-winning field goal as time expired, securing Carolina’s first win of the season.

Week 8 – Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts

Preview – vs. Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans (5-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-3)

The Houston Texans will face off against the Indianapolis Colts in a crucial Week 8 divisional matchup. After a close loss to the Packers, the Texans will look to bounce back and reclaim their momentum. C.J. Stroud will aim to improve his passing efficiency, while the ground game, powered by Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, remains a key component of their offensive attack. Defensively, Houston will rely on their front seven, particularly Will Anderson Jr. and Tim Settle, to disrupt Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ offense. Indianapolis, fresh off a win, will look to continue their winning ways, leaning on Richardson’s dual-threat capabilities and a strong defensive performance. With both teams battling for positioning in the AFC South, this game will be pivotal for their playoff aspirations. Expect a hard-fought, physical contest as these rivals meet in a key divisional clash.

Week 7 – Houston Texans vs Green Bay Packers

Result – vs. Green Bay Packers

Result: Green Bay Packers 24 – 22 Houston Texans
Record: 5-2

In a tightly contested battle, the Houston Texans fell just short against the Green Bay Packers, losing 24-22. C.J. Stroud struggled to get the passing game going, completing only 10 of 21 attempts for 86 yards. However, the Texans’ rushing attack shined, led by Joe Mixon’s impressive 115 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a strong defensive effort, which saw Neville Hewitt return an interception for 45 yards and multiple sacks from Will Anderson Jr. and Tim Settle, the Texans couldn’t overcome the Packers. Houston’s defense held Green Bay to just 82 rushing yards, but the Packers’ passing attack proved the difference. The Texans’ offense fell short in key moments, particularly in the passing game, ultimately sealing their fate in this tough Week 7 loss.

Preview – vs. Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans (5-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

The Houston Texans head into Week 7 looking to continue their winning streak as they face off against the Green Bay Packers. C.J. Stroud has been impressive, leading the Texans’ balanced offense with a strong mix of passing and rushing attacks. Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce will be key in controlling the ground game, while the defense, led by Will Anderson Jr., will aim to put pressure on the Packers’ quarterback. Green Bay, coming off a solid start to the season, will present a tough challenge, making this matchup a crucial test for the Texans as they aim to maintain their dominance in the AFC South.

Week 6 – Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

Result – vs. New England Patriots

Result: Houston Texans 41 – 21 New England Patriots
Record: 5-1

The Houston Texans dominated the New England Patriots with a 41-21 victory, improving their record to 5-1. C.J. Stroud threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns, leading a balanced offensive attack. Joe Mixon added 102 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Dameon Pierce contributed 76 rushing yards and a score. The defense stepped up with Will Anderson Jr. recording three sacks and Calen Bullock securing an interception. Houston controlled the game from start to finish, outgaining the Patriots in both passing and rushing yards while forcing key turnovers to seal the win.

Preview – vs. New England Patriots

Houston Texans (4-1) vs. New England Patriots (1-4)

The Houston Texans come into this game riding high after a narrow victory against the Buffalo Bills. C.J. Stroud continues to impress in his rookie season, and the Texans’ offense will look to capitalize against a struggling Patriots team. With a strong ground game led by Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, Houston will aim to control the tempo. On the defensive side, the Texans will focus on pressuring the Patriots’ quarterback while looking for opportunities to force turnovers and secure their fifth win of the season.

Week 5 – Houston Texans vs Buffalo Bills

Result – vs. Buffalo Bills

Result: Houston Texans 23 – 20 Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-1

The Houston Texans secured a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills, improving their record to 4-1. C.J. Stroud delivered another strong performance, throwing for 331 yards and a touchdown. Cam Akers added a rushing touchdown, and Nico Collins made a key impact with a 78-yard touchdown reception. Despite a late push by the Bills, the Texans’ defense held strong, limiting Buffalo’s third-down efficiency to just 21% and dominating the time of possession.

Preview – vs. Buffalo Bill

Houston Texans (3-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

The Houston Texans enter Week 5 ready to face the Buffalo Bills in what is expected to be a close contest. With C.J. Stroud showing impressive form in his rookie season, the Texans will rely on their passing game to match Buffalo’s high-powered offense. Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs will be key targets for Stroud, while the Texans’ defense will need to contain Josh Allen and the Bills’ dynamic attack.

Week 4 – Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Result – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Result: Houston Texans 24 – 20 Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 3-1

The Houston Texans pulled off a tight 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, improving their record to 3-1. C.J. Stroud threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Nico Collins, who had a stellar performance with 151 receiving yards and a touchdown. Despite the Jaguars putting up 158 rushing yards, Houston’s defense stood tall, limiting Jacksonville’s third-down conversions and controlling possession for over 33 minutes. The Texans’ balanced offensive approach and solid defense sealed the win.

Preview – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Houston Texans (2-1) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)

.The Houston Texans head into Week 4 to face the undefeated Jacksonville Jaguars. With C.J. Stroud leading a high-performing passing attack and Nico Collins as a standout receiver, Houston will look to break the Jaguars’ unbeaten streak. Jacksonville’s strong running game will challenge the Texans’ defense, which will need to step up to keep pace in the AFC South.

Week 3 – Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

Result – vs. Minnesota Vikings

Result: Minnesota Vikings 34 – 7 Houston Texans
Record: 2-1

.The Houston Texans suffered their first loss of the season in Week 3, falling to the Minnesota Vikings 34-7. C.J. Stroud threw for 215 yards and a touchdown but also had two costly interceptions. Despite solid efforts from Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, the Texans’ offense struggled to get anything going on the ground, managing just 38 rushing yards. The Vikings took advantage of Houston’s mistakes and controlled the game, with their defense applying pressure throughout, sacking Stroud five times and forcing key turnovers.

Preview – vs. Minnesota Vikings

Houston Texans (2-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)

The Houston Texans head into Week 3 looking to stay undefeated as they face the Minnesota Vikings. C.J. Stroud has shown excellent poise in his first two games, but he will face a tough Minnesota defense. With Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins emerging as key playmakers in the passing game, the Texans will look to exploit the Vikings’ secondary. On defense, Houston will need to stop Minnesota’s dynamic offense, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, to have a chance to extend their winning streak.

Week 2 – Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears

Result – vs. Chicago Bears

Result: Houston Texans 19 – 13 Chicago Bears
Record: 2-0

The Houston Texans secured their second consecutive win, defeating the Chicago Bears 19-13 in a hard-fought defensive battle. C.J. Stroud threw for 260 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Nico Collins for a standout performance of 135 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Texans’ defense was relentless, sacking the Bears’ quarterback seven times, with Henry To’oTo’o and Azeez Al-Shaair leading the charge. Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. each added interceptions to keep the Bears’ offense in check. Ka’imi Fairbairn was perfect on the day, kicking four field goals, including a long one from 59 yards out, to secure the win.

Preview – vs. Chicago Bear

Houston Texans (1-0) vs. Chicago Bears (1-0)

The Houston Texans head into Week 2 looking to build on their opening win. C.J. Stroud will aim to continue developing chemistry with his receivers, particularly Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, while the Texans’ defense looks to apply pressure on the Bears’ quarterback and force mistakes. Chicago will be a challenging matchup, but Houston hopes to leverage their home-field advantage to secure a 2-0 start.

Week 1 – Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts

Result – vs. Indianapolis Colts

Result: Houston Texans 29 – 27 Indianapolis Colts
Record: 1-0

The Houston Texans started the season with a narrow 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. C.J. Stroud threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, while Joe Mixon led the ground game with 159 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Nico Collins contributed 117 receiving yards, and Stefon Diggs caught two touchdown passes. The Texans’ defense also came up big, with Calen Bullock securing a key interception. Houston controlled the tempo with a dominant 40 minutes of possession time, setting the tone for the rest of the season.

Preview – vs. Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans (0-0) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-0)

The Houston Texans kick off the season against the Indianapolis Colts, with both teams looking to start strong. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will make his NFL debut, leading an offense that includes Joe Mixon in the backfield. On the other side, the Texans’ defense will be tasked with containing Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson, who is also making his debut. Both franchises are in the midst of rebuilding, making this matchup a crucial early test for setting the tone for the season.

Odds to Win Division and Super Bowl

– Odds to Win AFC South: +800, reflecting their status as underdogs in a division that includes the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

– Odds to Win Super Bowl: +10000, indicating a 1% chance, which positions them as long shots for the championship.

Predictions

– Overall Record: The Texans are projected to finish with a 6-11 record, reflecting gradual improvement as they continue their rebuilding process.

– Playoff Chances: While making the playoffs may be a stretch this season, the Texans are focused on developing their young core for future success.

– Super Bowl Chances: Winning the Super Bowl is unlikely this season, given their rebuilding status and current odds.

In conclusion, the Houston Texans are in the midst of a rebuilding phase with an emphasis on developing young talent and establishing a strong foundation for future success. While immediate playoff contention may be out of reach, the team’s strategic moves and focus on growth provide hope for a brighter future.