ESPN expert thinks 2026 could be the Houston Texans' year
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An ESPN expert thinks the 2026 season will be special for the Houston Texans.
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ESPN's Ben Solak believes the Houston Texans will win the AFC in 2026. He stated that while many are selling C.J. Stroud's stock as a quarterback after his playoff collapse last season, he would be happy to scoop it all back up at a discount.
The article itself highlighted 10 bold predictions for the 2026 season. Solak believes the Houston Texans already have the league's best defense and will return nine starters on that side of the ball. Not to mention, the run game received a major boost with the Texans signing former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, who is sure to be a stud workhorse for the Texans.
This season seems to be a make-or-break year for C.J. Stroud, and it appears that he may be on a short leash. "Stroud's two postseason games against the Steelers and Patriots were the worst ball we've ever seen him play. Were they his only postseason performances, perhaps we could theorize that he's a playoff choker -- but he was a totally acceptable quarterback in his four playoff games prior to 2025." Solak said.
"If the Texans really do give Stroud a good ground game in the 2026 season, it'll be the first one he has had. Since he entered the league in 2023, the Texans are 31st in both rushing success rate and EPA per rush."
"Lost in the bluster of the Seahawks' Super Bowl run was just how well the Texans' defense was playing. Houston was second to Seattle in points per drive allowed by a hair (1.48 to 1.52). By success rate, the Texans were the fifth-best passing defense of the past 15 seasons. I'd call it a once-in-a-decade defense if not for the fact the Seahawks and Broncos put up similarly spectacular numbers."
Are the Texans capable of having a Seattle Seahawks-type of run this season? Being in the AFC makes the path much harder, but we will soon see whether or not the right pieces have been put in place to get them over the hump.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: ESPN expert thinks 2026 could be the Houston Texans' year