The Houston Texans enter the 2026 NFL season with a proven formula, but one unfinished piece. They went 12-5 in 2025 and reached the AFC Divisional Round before losing to the New England Patriots because their defense was good enough to keep them in contention. However, the offense often left the team needing more.
As Week 1 approaches, the biggest question is whether the offense can close that gap without asking the defense to be nearly perfect every Sunday. With Buffalo coming to Houston in Week 1, the Texans will get an early test of whether their revamped offense can complement one of the league’s best defenses.
Texans’ Biggest Strength on Offense
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C.J. Stroud still gives Houston the highest offensive ceiling. His 2025 campaign ended with 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but his playoff performance against the Patriots left plenty to prove.
The Texans scored 23.8 points per game, 13th in the NFL in 2025, but the unit had major efficiency problems. They ranked near the bottom of the league, in red-zone touchdown rate at 45.9% and struggled with early-down rushing efficiency. That is why the offense’s biggest strength may ultimately be its potential rather than its 2025 production.
Nico Collins gives the passing game a reliable foundation. The running game was one of Houston’s biggest problems last season. The team added David Montgomery to provide a more physical presence, while Woody Marks is also expected to have a role.
If Stroud, Collins, Montgomery and the revamped line click, even a modest jump could change Houston’s ceiling.
Texans’ Biggest Weakness on Defense
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There is no glaring weakness, and that’s the point. This was the NFL’s No. 1 defense in total yards allowed in 2025 and No. 2 in scoring defense. The unit surrendered only 277.2 yards and 17.4 points per game. They were dominant overall, but their defense was not as overwhelming as their pass defense.
Houston allowed 93.7 rushing yards per game in 2025, while the unit’s biggest stars could make life difficult for quarterbacks on the other side. The addition of second-round defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is designed to add more power inside and improve the front’s ability to control the run.
Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter provide the pass rush, while Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter give Houston high-end talent in coverage. Stingley is coming off consecutive first-team All-Pro seasons, while the defense also gets contributions from its linebackers and safeties.
