Could the Texans actually make it to the Big Game in 2026?
The Houston Texans have a real appealing path sitting in front of them in 2026. Their schedule could be one of the biggest advantages in the AFC, and if they take care of business against a manageable slate, there’s a legitimate chance they could finish with the conference’s best record and claim the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history.
That’s a good place to start a Super Bowl argument, right?
The Texans also have a defense that’s more than capable of carrying its weight in January. Houston already had one of the league’s best units, and now Jadeveon Clowney is back in the mix. Bringing Clowney home gives the front another experienced pass rusher and adds a real boost to a defense that’s already strong.
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So, what’s keeping Houston from feeling like an obvious Super Bowl contender? Perhaps it’s C.J. Stroud.
There’s nothing wrong with being excited about Stroud’s potential. He’s shown a lot of reasons to believe he can eventually become the kind of quarterback who leads a team deep into the playoffs. But, Houston hasn’t yet reached the point where you can look at its quarterback and confidently say, “That’s definitely the guy who’s taking this team to the final four.”
That’s the question. But, the Texans have enough talent around Stroud to make life easier on him, and a favorable schedule could give them chances to build momentum before the postseason. If the defense continues to play at an elite level, Houston won’t need Stroud to throw for 400 yards every Sunday.
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But, January is different. At some point, the quarterback has to make the throw that changes the game. Stroud has the talent to do it, but Houston needs to see more consistency before it’s easy to pencil the Texans into the AFC Championship Game.
The path is there. The defense is there. The schedule could be there. Now, they just need Stroud to deliver.
