We all have our habits, good and bad. Morning routine, afternoon smoke, evening shower, you could even fit three in a day if you’re feeling lucky! There’s a great variety of hobbies and habits to enrapture
yourself in, but many of us reading this website share one – we all choose to watch the Texans on Sundays. We all had a moment where we sat in front of the television and decided that this football team was for us. Every Sunday, a new generation of Houston Texans fans are born, eye affixed to the glistening Battle Red and deep steel blue. And, just like us, all of these new fans will have to get accustomed to games like last Sunday’s vs. the Broncos.
A game where the Texans scored zero touchdowns, five field goals, and lost their starting quarterback and right tackle. A game where the Texans failed to score from the one-yard line on two separate drives, and gained only one first down the entire second half. A game where the new fans will wonder what kind of trap they’ve just stepped in, and the old ones will just embrace the squalor as a return to form. Why protest? Why complain? This has been the Texans all along: a great defense doomed to mediocrity via catastrophe on offense.
This is what they are, and despite their extreme measures, this is what they are meant to be. At least, that’s what many of the power rankings pundits will believe after this terrifying showing at NRG Stadium right after Halloween. Against the red-hot Denver Broncos, Houston played fantastic defense, got a boost from their special teams, completely cratered on offense with backup QB Davis MIlls playing in the second half, and vindicated every Texans skeptic across the country. Now, the path to a winning season has become very steep, and Houston will have a long climb back to restoring widespread confidence in their organization.
Here’s where the Houston Texans are ranked entering Week 10 of the 2025 NFL Season:
NFL.COM:
18. Houston Texans (3-5) (Last Week: 16)
Each loss makes the climb that much more difficult, and Sunday’s setback to the Broncos came with an added tax. C.J. Stroud left the game with a concussion, and his status will be the current focus, with two straight division contests coming up next. Davis Mills came out ready to throw against the Broncos, but he had very little going in the second half against a good Denver defense. The Texans gained just 87 yards on 27 second-half plays, watching their tenuous eight-point lead dissolve over the final 20 minutes. They controlled the clock most of the game and held the Broncos in check but couldn’t get key stops in the fourth quarter. Houston can still climb back to .500 with wins over the Jaguars and Titans, but we don’t yet know if Stroud will be able to help.
ESPN:
20. Houston Texans (3-5)
Week 9 result: Lost to the Broncos 18-15
Week 9 ranking: 17
Most important game remaining:Week 10 vs. the Jaguars
If the Texans lose this next game, they’d be staring at a 3-6 record. It also would mean being swept by a divisional opponent, which would hurt the Texans in potential tiebreaker scenarios and put them in a position to have to run the table for any chance at the playoffs. They presently have a 10% chance to make the postseason, per the FPI, while the Jaguars have a 55% chance. — DJ Bien-Aime
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:
22. Houston Texans (3–5)
Last week’s ranking: No. 18
Last week’s result: lost to Broncos, 18–15
This week: vs. JaguarsOne incredible aspect of Sunday’s Texans loss to the Broncos is that all of Houston’s points were a direct result of some fantastic special teams play. Not only is the Texans’ defense playing at a first-class level, but Frank Ross’s special teams unit is once again among the best in the NFL.
BLEACHER REPORT:
21. Houston Texans (3-5)
Last Week: 17
Week 9 Result: Lost 18-15 vs. Denver
The Houston Texans tumbled in our power rankings, and their playoff hopes are in dire straits.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud exited the previous game with a concussion. With him, Houston struggled to engineer touchdown drives. If he’s out for the team’s upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans could be looking at back-to-back losses at a crucial point in the season.
Expect Houston to play with desperation and urgency regardless of Stroud’s Week 10 status in a critical game if it wants a shot at retaining the AFC South title and a playoff spot.
CBS SPORTS:
20. Texans (3-5) (Last Week: 14)
Their season might be on the line against the Jaguars this week, and C.J. Stroud is in the concussion protocol. That’s not good.
USA TODAY:
14. Houston Texans (15): Three of their next four games are against AFC South opponents. Time for the reigning division champs to take it up a notch − though they may have to do that initially without QB C.J. Stroud.
YAHOO! SPORTS:
20 (18): Houston Texans (3-5)
The Texans probably win Sunday if C.J. Stroud hadn’t been out with a concussion, which he got when he was hit while sliding. The Texans’ offense is certainly not good enough to overcome that. The Texans can’t afford many more losses, but Stroud might not play next week vs. Jacksonville.
THE ATHLETIC:
21. Houston Texans (3-5)
Last week: 17
Sunday: Lost to Broncos 18-15
Midseason grade: C-
The Texans may have the best defense in the NFL and still can’t get to .500, in part because of how bad their offensive line is. They have struggled to run the ball (29th in rushing EPA per play) and might be without C.J. Stroud (concussion) next week.
Up next: vs. Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
PRO FOOTBALL TALK:
20. Texans (No. 17; 3-5): The defense is great, but a great defense isn’t enough.
Far above the heads of the Texans lie AFC competitors like the Steelers, Chargers, and the dreaded Colts. There is really no good reason for Houston not to be in the middle of wildcard candidates such as these, other than the powers that be decided to try something really different on offense this year, and it has not worked. Taking a big swing at that side of the ball was a wise decision, but in hindsight, it is safe to say that they tried to rebuild too much too quickly. At this point, the Texans season is not over, but they will be chasing the tails of AFC playoff leaders for the rest of the season.
What do you think, though? Are the Texans doomed to a disappointing season, or will their offense get back in shape once CJ Stroud returns? Will Houston be able to make up for their October blues, or are they better off looking forward to 2026? Let us know in the comments below!
