It’s always easier to have success when no one expects much.
The 2023 Houston Texans were two years ahead of schedule. Last season, with a rookie quarterback and rookie coach, they won a playoff game. C. J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans deservedly earned a ton of credit. They won’t have the luxury of sneaking up on anybody now.
The 2024 Texans have a win total of 9.5 as opposed to 6.5 last year. They’re favored to repeat as the AFC South champion. That’s considerable pressure for a roster and coach with room to grow, especially since analytics expert Warren Sharp rated their schedule the seventh-hardest in the league. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars — each nine-win teams last season — should be better. The Tennessee Titans made bold moves in the off-season, suggesting they expect to be contenders.
Down the stretch, Houston has consecutive late December games against the Miami Dolphins (home), Kansas City Chiefs (away), and Baltimore Ravens (home) in 11 days. That’s brutal.
The mic’d up we all needed today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FyGe4RZjeq
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 27, 2024
For the Texans, there’s no escaping it. Anything less than improvement from 2023 will be viewed as a disappointment. Even before training, Ryans addressed the high expectations.
“The expectations on the outside don’t permeate inside our building,” Ryans told NFL.com. “For us, when everyone is really striving and putting the work in to be better. And that’s what it’s all about. We don’t care about expectations. Talk doesn’t win games. We have to go out and play good football when that time comes.”
Stroud is reason No. 1 for lofty expectations. After enjoying the best season a rookie quarterback has ever had, the Offensive Rookie of the Year looks like the future of the league. To help ensure their young quarterback doesn’t suffer a sophomore slump, the Texans traded for star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs helped jumpstart Josh Allen’s career, and even though he’s 30, Diggs should be able to give Stroud a boost. Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell could form the best receiver trio in the league. Add in the acquisition of veteran running back Joe Mixon, and Stroud should have plenty of weapons.
C.J. Stroud against the Bucs last season was as elite as it gets. 🔥🔥
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) July 30, 2024
– 30/42
– 470 yards
– 5 TDs
– 0 INTs
pic.twitter.com/7xVAiLIk2K
Whether this team takes another step might hinge on the other side of the ball. Ryans, previously the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, was able to help his new team improve. The Texans went from allowing 24.7 points per game (sixth-worst) in 2022 to 21.1 (11th-best). The addition of defensive end Will Anderson Jr. made an immediate impact, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He’s 15 pounds heavier this year and the team hopes that will translate to even more production.
“My biggest thing, I just wanted to get bigger, stronger, faster, Anderson told Al.com. “I think those were the areas that I really improved on and have more mobility and flexibility to be able to get in some of the positions to bend a little better, to get off blocks a little better, and to use my hands a little better.”
Anderson (seven sacks last season) will have more help too. Houston signed veteran Pro Bowl pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, who had 16.5 sacks last season for the Minnesota Vikings.
Not too long ago, Houston looked like a franchise that would continue to struggle after the problems created by Bill O’Brien and Deshaun Watson. Now, the Texans have legitimate hope. The AFC is loaded with great quarterbacks and great teams.
Perhaps they will surprise us again and exceed expectations.
