HOUSTON TEXANS
2023 Record - 10-7
Head Coach - DeMeco Ryans
Key Additions - Stefon Diggs (WR), Joe Mixon (RB), Jeff Okudah (DB), Danielle Hunter (DL), Denico Autry (DL), Azeez Al-Shaair (LB), Foley Fatukasi (DL)
Key Losses - Devin Singletary (RB), Jonathan Greenard (DL), Maliek Collins (DL), Blake Cashman (LB), George Fant (OL), Denzel Perryman (LB),
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - C.J. Stroud (4,108 yards, 23 TD, 5 INT)
RUSHING - Joe Mixon (1,034 yards, 4.0 ypc, 9 TD) (with Cincinnati)
RECEIVING - Nico Collins (80 receptions, 1,297 yards, 8 TD)
SACKS - Jonathan Greenard (12 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Derek Stingley (5)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Texans rose from the dead last season, surprising many by winning the AFC South after going 3-13-1 in 2022 and Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and crew will not be sneaking up on opponents this season.
A big reason for the resurgence was rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who had a huge season as the team ranked in the top ten in passing offense (246 YPG) while averaging 22.2 points per game and this year they add Stefon Diggs, who comes over from the Buffalo Bills after catching 107 passes for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. He will be in the mix along with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz. The running game (97 YPG, 22nd ranked in NFL in 2023) will get a boost with Joe Mixon coming over from Cincinnati.
The Houston defense was middle of the pack overall a year ago, giving up 331 YPG and gave up 20.8 points per game. The run defense was solid (6th in NFL) but the pass defense needs to get better (234 YPG allowed, 23rd in NFL) and five new players have been brought in this season to help the secondary, which did get 14 interceptions while 46 sacks were registered. The Texans also had a nose for the ball as they were a plus-10 in the turnover category.
Whether or not Stroud can duplicate the eye popping numbers he put up in 2023 remains to be seen as teams make the adjustments against the Texans offense this year. But with so many weapons to throw the football to and a proven running back toting the rock, this team should score more often than last season. This team will have a target on their backs after advancing to the divisional round in the AFC playoffs a year ago. The key will be maintaining their level of play and getting off to a good start with the schedule looking to be easier in the first nine games. Another AFC South title is definitely possible, but they have to take care of business in division games to make it happen.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Indianapolis
Week Two - vs. Chicago
Week Three - at Minnesota
Week Four - vs. Jacksonville
Week Five - vs. Buffalo
Week Six - at New England
Week Seven - at Green Bay
Week Eight - vs. Indianapolis
Week Nine - at N.Y. Jets
Week Ten - vs. Detroit
Week Eleven - at Dallas
Week Twelve - vs. Tennessee
Week Thirteen - at Jacksonville
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - vs. Miami
Week Sixteen - at Kansas City
Week Seventeen - vs. Baltimore
Week Eighteen - at Tennessee
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