Magic is real.
This may come as a shocking opening statement to read, but consider just what you saw on Sunday. Was the San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans game what you were expecting? Did the Texans’ offense look like what they had last week? It may sound far fetched, but if this pass to Jaylin Noel taught me anything, it’s that magic is, indeed, real.
Everything and everyone (well…except for Vegas) had given up, sold off, and cast away
their hopes of a good Texans season as the San Francisco 49ers arrived at NRG Stadium. 2-4, left for dead in a division where the Indianapolis Colts have stolen all of the thunder thanks to Daniel Jones of all people, that floundering Houston team was running out of time to get the show back on the road, and they played like it! Quarterback CJ Stroud, undaunted by the reality of missing two starting wide receivers this game, went on a heater – targeting nine different receivers for a total of 318 passing yards (77% Cmp), two touchdowns, one interception, and a 106.6 passer rating. And, the granddaddy of all stats: Zero sacks!!!!
If you can believe it, the Houston Texans offensive line showed up, pushed the 5-2 49ers around like some loose rag dolls, and propelled Houston’s offense to their best game of the year. A development like this was so spine-chilling to the opposing team that Mac Jones just started hucking the ball downfield in random directions hoping to ignite a fire in his chilled team. This almost worked too…if it wasn’t for Kamari Lassiter coming from the GRAVE:
Yeah, safe to say it was a pleasant surprise of a game. Now, the Texans are still 3-4 and have a mighty stretch of opponents directly in front of them, but as of right now, they’re a spicy team. Looking so ugly against the Seahawks and than pounding Seattle’s sworn rival the very next week will do more than just ruffle some pundits power rankings, it might even make them say something positive about the Texans!
Alright, that’s enough fanfare. Here’s where everyone is rankings the spicy Houston Texans entering week nine of the 2025 Regular Season:
NFL.COM
16. Houston Texans (3-4) (Last Week: 21)
The Texans might have the best defense in football. They’ve allowed more than 20 points only once and have forced eight turnovers in their past three games, holding Christian McCaffrey in check Sunday and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. Mac Jones was sacked twice and under fire much of the day, but there were even more plays for Houston to make up front. Sweetening the win over the Niners was the 26-point performance by the offense. Even with the INTright before halftime, C.J. Stroud was as sharp as he’s been all season, and he can thank some unexpectedly great pass protection for that. The Texans will win 90 percent of the games in which they pass block and score like that.
ESPN:
17. Houston Texans (3-4)
Week 8 result: Beat the 49ers 26-15
Week 8 ranking: 21
Best offseason addition: RB Woody Marks
The fourth-round pick has been a nice addition to the offense. Marks is boom or bust at times, but when he booms, he shows explosiveness and dynamic ability in the running and passing games. He has had three catches for over 20 yards this season. The rookie out of USC has been a nice complementary player to Nick Chubb, who is more of a bruiser on early downs. Marks leads the Texans in scrimmage yards with 379.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:
17. Houston Texans (3-4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 24
Last week’s result: beat 49ers, 26–15
This week: vs. Broncos
I thought some of C.J. Stroud’s best throws of the day were against pressure. That, after watching Seattle completely undress the Texans’ offensive line and Stroud by association, was the kind of relief that gives me faith in a playoff berth.
BLEACHER REPORT:
17. Houston Texans (3-4)
Last Week: 23
Week 8 Result: Won vs. 49ers 26-15
C.J. Stroud wasn’t sacked a single time by the 49ers. Let that previous sentence sink in for a second. It’s the first game of the season where the quarterback remained mostly untouched. The Niners only hit Stroud on two occasions.
With the injuries San Francisco endured, the 49ers defense isn’t operating at a high level. Instead, the unit became the salve that Stroud and Co. needed to finally get on track, even without the quarterback’s WR1, Nico Collins, absent because of injury.
The Texans threw for 318 yards, with 475 total yards of offense. The confidence-builder was necessary for Houston with the Denver Broncos and their elite defense next on the docket.
CBS SPORTS:
14. Texans (3-4) (Last Week: 21)
The offense clicked in a big way against the 49ers, which gives them hope going forward. But now that unit faces a tough test against the Denver defense.
USA TODAY:
15. Houston Texans (22) (3-4): The passing offense finally came to life Sunday − naturally, the absence of WR1 Nico Collins (concussion) was the missing piece.
YAHOO! SPORTS:
18 (22): Houston Texans (3-4)
Houston’s defense didn’t allow the 49ers a first down until the final minute of the first half. The offense gained 475 yards. The defense isn’t a question; it’s one of the best in the NFL. If the offense improves, there’s still time to jump in the playoff race.
THE ATHLETIC:
17. Houston Texans (3-4)
Last week: 24
Sunday: Beat the 49ers 26-15
Something scary: The defense
The Texans held Christian McCaffrey to 25 yards on eight carries Sunday, and they lead the league in scoring defense (14.7 ppg allowed), yards allowed per game (266.9) and defensive EPA (11.9 per 100 snaps), according to TruMedia. If C.J. Stroud can keep playing like he did against the 49ers (318 passing yards, two touchdowns), the Texans can get back into the playoff conversation.
Up next: vs. Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
PRO FOOTBALL TALK:
17. Texans (No. 23; 3-4): They still have a lot of work to do to catch the Colts.
Average Ranking: 16.44 (Last Week: 22.33)
Everything seems to be coming up Texans, now! I mean, we’re talking about a leap of an average of six spaces! Clearly, nobody is really sure what to make of the Texans after this win, but many were particularly impressed by the offensive line. Now, an injuries 49ers defensive line isn’t the most mighty group in the NFL, but it’s comforting to see Nick Caserio’s vision finally starting to come together. Unfortunately, 16th sounds a lot better than 22nd, but Houston still occupies limbo to most analysts. Hearts are starting to warm on the best team in Texas…but they’re still ready to hit the trap door lever if another big L approaches.
Personally, I like to think last Sunday’s game shows the moment where the 2025 Texans turned a corner. After a demoralizing loss in Seattle, Houston could have shriveled up against San Francisco but instead had their most complete, complementary game this season. They may not be a Super Bowl team, but this game will set the foundation inside the locker room of what they’re capable of.
What do you think, though? Will the Texans ride this win to a midseason resurgence, or are they still a few pieces away from climbing out of limbo? Let us know down in the comments below!
GO TEXANS!!!!
