HOUSTON TEXANS
2024 Record - 10-7-0
Head Coach - DeMeco Ryans
2024 Offensive Rank - (22nd overall) - 320 YPG; Passing - 208 YPG (21st), Rushing -112 YPG (15th); SCORING - 21.9 PPG (19th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (6th overall) - 315 YPG; Passing - 201 YPG (6th), Rushing - 114 YPG (11th); SCORING - 21.9 PPG (14th)
Key Additions for 2025 - C.J. Gardner-Johnson (DB), Christian Kirk (WR), Cam Robinson (OL), E.J. Speed (LB), Laken Tomlinson (OL), Sheldon Rankins (DL)
Key Losses for 2025 - Laremy Tunsil (OL), Stefon Diggs (WR), Kenyon Green (OL), Shaq Mason (OL), Eric Murray (DB), Del'Shawn Phillips (LB), Robert Woods (WR)
OFFENSE - C.J. Stroud will be the starting quarterback as he goes into his third NFL season and he had 3,727 passing yards along with 20 touchdowns and twelve interceptions last year. He also rushed for 233 yards (4.5 YPC) but was sacked 54 times. The running game is hoping to have Joe Mixon back in the mix sooner rather than later as he will miss at least the first four games in 2025 because of ankle surgery. Mixon ran for 1,016 yards in 2024 and scored eleven touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Dameon Pierce (293, 7.3 YPC, two TD), Nick Chubb (332, 3.3 YPC, three TD with Cleveland) and perhaps rookie Woody Marks (USC) are the others who will run the ball. The wide receivers are Niko Collins (68 receptions, 1,006 yards, seven TD), Christian Kirk (27, 379, one TD with Jacksonville), Justin Watson (29, 282, two TD with Kansas City) and rookie Jayden Higgins (Iowa State) and possibly Tank Dell, who had 51 receptions for 667 yards and three scores before suffering a bad knee injury late last season that could keep him out for the entire 2025 season. The tight end is Dalton Schultz and he had 53 catches for 532 yards and two touchdowns last year.
DEFENSE - Danielle Hunter (12 QB sacks) and Will Anderson (11 sacks) lead the way on the defensive front line along with Tim Settle, Jr. (five sacks), Derek Barnett (five sacks) and Sheldon Rankins. The linebackers include Henry To'oTo'o (team high 104 tackles), Azeez Al-Shaair (70 tackles) and E.J. Speed, who had 143 tackles with Indianapolis last year. Nick Niemann and Christian Harris are also available. The secondary has Kamari Lassiter (three interceptions), Derrick Stingley, Jr. (five INT) and Jalen Pitre at the corners along with safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson (six interceptions with Philadelphia) and Calen Bullock, who had five picks a year ago. Rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith (USC) will look to contribute this season. The Texans were plus-10 in turnovers last year while getting 19 interceptions (2nd in NFL) and 49 sacks, which ranked fourth overall.
OUTLOOK - Houston appears poised for a third consecutive AFC South crown as long as C.J. Stroud plays up to his abilities and gets better pass protection. The offensive line must improve and the running game could be a big question mark with Joe Mixon still out (ankle injury) as the season gets started. Former Pro Bowler Nick Chubb hasn't been the same since a serious knee injury two years ago and Dameon Pierce hasn't had much playing time with Houston. The offense has weapons in the passing game and Stroud and Collins have been a good combo in the last two seasons. Better red zone efficiency will go a long way to helping the Texans attack.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans thrives on strong defense and the Texans were a top ten unit last year and now have C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the secondary after a Super Bowl winning season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans will look to have the same ball hawking defense in 2025 and with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter leading the charge up front, the pass rush should be good once again. Stopping the run better will be a focus in 2025 as well, but this team is looking to go further in January after blasting the L.A. Chargers (including four interceptions on defense) in the wild card round and giving Kansas City a tough battle in the divisional round. Don't sleep on the Texans as they could be a pleasant surprise this time around if things break their way come playoff time.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at L.A. Rams
Week Two - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Three - at Jacksonville
Week Four - vs. Tennessee
Week Five - at Baltimore
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - at Seattle
Week Eight - vs. San Francisco
Week Nine - vs. Denver
Week Ten - vs. Jacksonville
Week Eleven - at Tennessee
Week Twelve - vs. Buffalo
Week Thirteen - at Indianapolis
Week Fourteen - at Kansas City
Week Fifteen - vs. Arizona
Week Sixteen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Seventeen - at L.A. Chargers
Week Eighteen - vs. Indianapolis
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