The Houston Texans are expected to be a contender in the AFC this fall, largely thanks to the No. 1 defense being nearly all back for another year under DeMeco Ryans.
But could Houston be viewed as the team to beat in the AFC? Can the Texans actually compete for a Super Bowl title?
If you thought that the offense couldn’t be sneakily under the radar this season, you would be alone. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz dubbed Houston as the face of the AFC and the best roster in the conference, earning the No. 1 seed, home-field advantage and secure a spot in Los Angeles for Super Bowl LXI.
“You know about their defense, which is one of the two or three best in the NFL,” Schatz wrote. “The offense made improvements on the offensive line; the addition of running back David Montgomery and the return of wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) should move them up above the league average.”
Everyone is asking for just modest offensive production this fall. Houston’s addition of Montgomery should make a difference with an underwhelming rushing attack from a season ago, thus taking pressure off C.J. Stroud to have to play hero ball.
The big difference will be the offensive line. Houston parted ways with foundational pieces Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard in back-to-back offseasons, looking to go younger at tackle and guard with Tay Ersery and Keylan Ruteledge joining the fold. The Texans also upgraded in free agency with the signings of Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller, who should be plug-and-play starters at right tackle and left guard, respectivley.
Should Stroud look competent, the Texans could be the best roster in the NFL. So far, he’s been promising through the early stages of offseason workouts.
“We always have transparent and honest conversations, but I think it’s like anything, year two, you’re always trying to dive deeper, to continue to expand those finer points of the relationship,” offensive coordinator Nick Caley said. “But it’s great. We get to talk ball. We’re highly collaborative. He has a great perspective on it. He sees the game really, really well. So I’ve had a blast being around him every single day, just like last year.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Super Bowl-bound? One ESPN analyst believes it’s happening in 2026
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
