As a Houston pro sports fan, you are almost contractually obligated to look for, and expect the worst to happen, usually in a highly dramatic and painfully creative fashion. Earlier, we discussed how the 2026-27 season could go so, so wrong for the Texans. However, for all that can go wrong, you have to acknowledge that things might go right. With that, a few of the ways that the 2026-27 leads to the long-sought after glory the Texans have been after since 2002 (and the Houston football fan since 1961
(the last of the AFL titles)).
A beyond historic defense: Last year, Houston had a really good-to-great defense. For 2026-27, many of those players that dominated the defense return, all in prime playing condition. Additionally, the Texans only reinforced those positions that were considered a little “weak”. They added Reed Blankenship to further strengthen that secondary, giving the squad arguably the best nickel package in the game. The defensive tackle position got some major upgrades with the drafting of MacDonald, an interior wrecker from Ohio State who many felt was the best interior DL in the 2026 draft. Add that Togiai and Rankins return to further cement the interior, and this squad can start dreaming of not only picking up where they left off last season but perhaps take their place in the pantheon of elite NFL defenses.
Sure, defensive performances can vary from season. Yet, what helps the Texans is that their defense was not based on any particular scheme, nor were they overly reliant on the fickle fortune of turnovers. They have great players and so long as great players stay healthy and motivated, they can blast through any turnover number variance or adaptation to a defensive scheme. Given some of the talent additions to the lineup, improvement is a reasonable expectation. So long as injuries hold off, this team could be even more dangerous on defense.
The Texans get a consistently good run game going: Generally, teams with strong defenses like to have a tough, punishing ground game. If nothing else, the ground game indicates greater physicality and can reduce the time that a defense is on the field, keeping them fresher and making it harder for an opposing offense to do enough to counter the defense. Give a QB a better run game, and said QB will be a better thrower. Last season, even with the extra effort from Marks, the Texans did not have a particularly effective/efficient ground game. In theory, David Montgomery, along with a revamped offensive line, can give Houston that much more effective ground attack. That would open up play-action, keep defenses honest, and allow Stroud the time and security to make those big pass plays he is capable of delivering. This would also be a major help later in the season, when weather can limit QBs like Stroud. A running game travels in all conditions. Houston spent a lot to get that going. If it does, Houston will be very much in business.
Stroud’s playoff meltdown was a blip, not a feature: Maybe Stroud is not a cold-weather QB. However, his career is better than what he showed in last season’s playoff run. Somewhat related with the run game/offensive line considerations, if that works, it takes a good bit of pressure off Stroud, thus allowing him to elevate his game. In 2024, no quarterback faced more pressure and faced more third and longs. In 2025, the sack numbers were down, but the opposing pressure win rate was such that Stroud had to get rid of a lot of passes early. Any increased degree of security, especially from the offensive interior, and any significant improvement in the efficiency of the run game, will go a long way to alleviating the pressure on Stroud. Give Stroud better security, and his harsh weather struggles will not be as big a factor. If all goes to plan, Stroud’s 2025-26 playoff struggles will only be a footnote on his path to glory.
We don’t worry about the punting game: Solid special teams have been a franchise hallmark since Frank Ross took the helm. The kicking game, even with all the rule changes, has been solid for Houston. The coverage units tend to be among the stronger ones in the game. When Jon Weeks left last offseason, the long snapper position came open, and Austin Brinkman stepped in with no issues. Now, Houston will need to adjust to its 3rd punter since 2021. The main contenders are Kai Kroeger, who comes over via trade with the Saints, and Jack Stonehouse, an UDFA from Syracuse. Normally, punting doesn’t generate a ton of headlines, but with a defensively strong team like Houston, a good punting game is almost a must. Tommy Townsend was solid, but not spectacular, as Houston let him walk to the Titans this offseason. However, Kroeger ranked 31st in net punting last season and had two blocked. Is he more cost-efficient? Sure. However, there might be a reason why he was so cost-efficient. Stonehouse did well enough as Syracuse, so this might be a competition. That the winning punter will be under the Ross tutelage is encouraging. If Ross can continue his solid special teams track record, even in the punting game, things should be just fine.
Multiple playoff games at Reliant: Under the Ryans regime, the Houston Texans are 2-0 in home playoff games, with an average margin of victory of 25.5. They are 1-3 in road playoff games, with an average margin of defeat of 15.0 points. Ideally, Houston could get at least a top 2 seed, so that they would either be assured of a bye or multiple home playoff game opportunities. Under Ryans, they’ve been the 4th seed twice and the 5th seed once. Easier said than done to obtain that top 2 seed, but if Houston can somehow manage to get that seeding and host multiple playoff games, those Super Bowl dreams become that much more realistic.
Much can go wrong during the NFL season, and Houston fans know this all too well. However, a realist understands that positive outcomes are also part of life. If one or more of these things happen, perhaps the Texans can break through that Divisional Round barrier and advance to the glory beyond
