What to expect from the Houston Texans in 2023

For the first time in many years, the Houston Texans have finally really hit the reset button. The past three seasons have seen issues on and off the field, which have resulted in the team being discounted and feeling irrelevant at times compared to other franchises in the NFL. Fans will be hoping that this is the year that everything begins to change and under new head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans might do just that. 

The reins have been handed over to first time HC Ryans, and the former 49ers DC will be looking to hit the ground running and make a name for himself. He brings a new identity to the team and will be making sure that the team plays at full speed each and every game, that will be the bare minimum. Ryans wants to establish the Texans as a physical, no nonsense team to play.

After all, the 49ers defence wasn’t all too bad during Ryan’s time in the Bay Area. I fully expect to see an aggressive edge to the team this season, they might not have all the pieces yet, they may not be the best team yet, but they can make big strides in being the most physical team. 

The Texans have added some good players to the roster. Dalton Schultz coming over from the Cowboys and Devin Singletary from the Bills are two additions that I really like. But the big signing came in the NFL Draft when Houston got their franchise QB in C.J. Stroud, who I can see having a really solid rookie campaign, and he will bring great quality that should allow him to succeed in the NFL. The main thing that Stroud will need to learn, will be protecting himself and protecting the ball.

He will find out quickly that he doesn’t need to produce big plays every time to win a game, but errors will likely cost the team games. If he approaches the season the right way, which he will, then all signs point to him performing well. You have to keep in mind that he went through a rollercoaster of a build up to being drafted at number two overall.

I can’t remember many second overall picks entering the league with as many questions being thrown at them as Stroud has had. It’s crazy to think, given if you go back and watch his performances from Ohio state, you only see positives. You go back and watch his pro day, you only see positives. You listen to him speak and how he conducts himself, you only see positives. 

The offence will have its teething problems, they don’t strike me as being a high scoring offence yet, but where they do have some real quality is in the running game. Pierce and Singletary could be a great pairing in the league and if they can hit the ground running, that will ease the pressure on Stroud. The ground game could be key if they are to improve on last season’s three win season.

I see the defence having a dramatic improvement from last year and the defence will be the main factor in them winning more games. So the offence don’t have to go out and put up big points, they just need to be consistent and not make the defence have to work more than they need to, because that is where they will lose games. If they can make games tight and keep themselves in the game, I can see Ryan’s having that positive an impact on the defence that they can go out and finish games. 

Texans fans will know that this season will still present its challenges, but they also have plenty to be optimistic and excited about. A new look team, with a new approach and an opportunity to gain momentum moving forward. 

I can see them getting six or seven wins this season and improving on last year’s record. They have games on paper that they can mark down as winnable, they also have plenty of chances to cause an upset. Every season a team comes from nowhere and massively out performs what was predicted for them. Just look back only a couple seasons ago at the Bengals and how quickly they have established themselves, so it can be done.

This season will be the season that they set a foundation on which they can grow into a contender again in the AFC South or could they go out and surprise everyone by taking the AFC South. In the NFL, never say never. One thing is for sure, the Houston Texans will be fun to watch this season.