Last season, the Houston Texans were supposed to be one of the NFL’s breakout stories. However, they fell flat due to injuries, poor offensive line play, and growing pains around quarterback CJ Stroud. Now, in 2025, optimism remains, but it’s laced with caution. The talent is undeniable, the defense looks loaded, and the front office has patched major holes. Until this group shows it can put everything together consistently, though, the Texans remain one of the AFC’s biggest wild cards.
Texans’ 2025 season preview
The Texans wrapped up their 2025 preseason with games against the Vikings, Panthers, and Lions. Sure, the roster looks strong on paper. Still, with Stroud at quarterback, a dangerous pass rush, and playmakers in the secondary, hype has cooled on them in recent weeks. Right now, but doubts linger despite their talent. Of course, the offensive line remains the glaring concern. Until that unit proves it can protect Stroud and establish balance, Houston’s ceiling will stay limited. That's even if the rest of the roster appears playoff-ready.
Here we'll try to look at and discuss the three bold predictions for the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL season.
Stroud has a rebound season
Last season was a nightmare for Stroud. He endured one of the league’s leakiest offensive lines and finished with some of the highest sack and pressure rates in the NFL. 2025 looks much different, though. General manager Nick Caserio completely overhauled the line. They traded away Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green while bringing in Trent Brown, Cam Robinson, and Laken Tomlinson on one-year deals. He also added guard Ed Ingram via trade and drafted offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery in the third round. The line can’t possibly be worse than it was a year ago, and incremental improvement could go a long way.
The skill-position group has also been rebuilt. Veteran Nick Chubb joins the backfield, while Christian Kirk arrives via trade. They should add polish and consistency to the offense. Houston also doubled down in the draft. They selected wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both of them flashed promise in camp. With Nico Collins healthier and Tank Dell back in the fold, Stroud suddenly has options everywhere.
Shoulder soreness aside, Stroud heads into his third season with the best supporting cast of his career. If the line holds up even moderately well, expect him to remind everyone why he was one of the most hyped young quarterbacks in football just two years ago.
Texans finish with top 5 defense
The Texans’ defense was already strong last season. They ranked in the top five in efficiency while piling up 49 sacks. That was good for fourth-most in the NFL. The scary part? They may be even better in 2025. The secondary is shaping into one of the deepest young groups in the league. Derek Stingley Jr remains the headliner. That said, second-year players Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock are on the verge of stardom. Together, they give Houston a versatile, aggressive coverage unit capable of shutting down top passing games.
The front seven is equally formidable. Will Anderson Jr looks ready to ascend into elite territory in his second season. Meanwhile, veteran Danielle Hunter adds proven production on the opposite edge. The interior line raised some questions last year. However, Houston addressed it with veterans Sheldon Rankins, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Mario Edwards. They give the Texans depth and toughness up the middle.
Simply put, the Texans’ defense doesn’t just look good. It looks dominant. Even if the offense has some hiccups under a new coordinator, this defense should keep Houston competitive every week. Another top-five finish feels less like a prediction and more like an expectation.
Texans win 10+ games and make the playoffs
For all the turbulence of last year, the Texans still managed back-to-back 10-win seasons. The formula hasn’t changed much. They have a stout defense, steady quarterback play, and just enough offensive firepower to grind out wins. The difference in 2025 is that Houston directly addressed its biggest weakness, which was the offensive line. They improved its depth across the board.
The Jacksonville Jaguars may present more of a challenge in the AFC South, but the Texans remain the division’s most complete team. Stroud has a rebuilt supporting cast, the run game has a stabilizer in Chubb, and the defense is primed to carry the load if needed. Houston is positioned to once again win 10 or more games and secure a playoff berth. The difference this time may be how far they can go once they get there.
Looking ahead
The Texans enter 2025 as one of the AFC’s most intriguing teams. Stroud is poised for a bounce-back year behind a reshaped offensive line and deeper arsenal of weapons. The defense looks ready to establish itself as a dominant, week-in and week-out force. If those two elements come together, Houston should find itself in the playoff picture once again with 10 or more wins.
Of course, that’s the optimistic view. The offensive line still has to prove it can deliver. More importantly, Stroud’s shoulder soreness lingers as a question mark. If the Texans put it all together, though, these bold predictions could be exactly what defines their 2025 season.
