The Houston Texans entered the 2026 season with expectations of competing deep into the postseason. Three weeks later, they are 0-3 and facing a much different reality, after latest setback in Indianapolis. The Texans blew a late lead and lost 19-17 to the Colts on a 53-yard Spencer Shrader field goal with 16 seconds remaining. The loss exposed several problems that have followed Houston through the opening three games.
Enormous pressure is now on the defense that has repeatedly kept Houston within striking distance. The Texans also have injuries affecting key offensive pieces, including Nico Collins and guard Ed Ingram.
Here is where Houston stood entering Week 4, along with its previous ranking.
Where the Texans Are Ranked in NFL Power Rankings
- USA TODAY: 25(-7)
- FOX Sports: 22(-4)
- Bleacher Report: 27(-11)
- NFL.com: 24(-13)
- ESPN: 21(-15)
What Do Experts Say About the Texans?
“Their defense is too good for this team to be 0-3. But their offense is comically bad, which is why they keep falling. C.J. Stroud hasn’t been a force since he was a rookie, and he has definitely been bad enough to drag them down. Their running duo of David Montgomery and Woody Marks is as bad as it gets, too, probably thanks to a shaky offensive line,” FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano said.
“While he’s been hindered by key offensive absences, C.J. Stroud does not look like a quarterback deserving of a, say, $55 million-a-year contract,” Nate Davis of USA Today wrote.
“The Texans have serious problems offensively that are painfully familiar. They can’t run the ball, lack difference-makers at receiver and still can’t consistently sustain drives. After a six-point output in the Week 2 loss to Cincinnati, the Texans were nearly as dreadful Sunday in Indianapolis, save for one urgent drive to briefly take a late lead. It’s unrealistic to expect the defense to carry Houston on a weekly basis, and until offensive coordinator Nick Caley finds some solutions, the Texans will remain mired in these struggles,” nfl.com’s Nick Shook.
“After scoring 28.9 fantasy points in Week 1, Montgomery has only 11.2 in the past two games combined. He averages 0.5 yards before contact — an abhorrent number for a rushing attack. Any hope for an improvement in Montgomery’s fantasy production starts with better play from the offensive line. That unit is a big reason the Texans are winless and averaging 11.5 points over the past two weeks,” DJ Bien Aime of ESPN wrote.
The Texans are in deep water at 0-3
The Houston Texans sit at 0-3 to open the 2026 season, making their upcoming Week 4 game against Dallas far more than a typical early-season matchup. Houston is quickly running out of room to absorb further losses if it hopes to keep its playoff ambitions alive.
There is important historical precedent, as the Texans famously recovered from an 0-3 start in 2018 to win nine straight games and reach the postseason. However, no NFL franchise has ever made the playoffs after starting 0-3 in back-to-back years. Though there is still plenty to like about Houston’s defensive front, the team cannot rely on its defense alone.
Will Anderson Jr.’s dominant performance against Indianapolis, highlighted by 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, demonstrated how disruptive the front can be, while the unit forced three takeaways and held the Colts to 300 total yards.
