Defense Leads the Way
Houston's identity starts with a front-four pressure defense led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
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Houston Texans 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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Defense Sets the Terms
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84.8PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Texans Here
The defense can rush four and keep bodies in coverage because it has Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. C.J. Stroud can still convert third down when protection gives him room to set his feet. Protection is the dividing line: if the line loses early, the offense becomes too dependent on the quarterback surviving long-yardage throws.
NFL Rank#9Current PFM ranking
AFC Rank#4Among AFC teams
QB Stability#15C.J. Stroud · Built to Trust
Season OutlookPlayoff Contender
Head coachDeMeco Ryans
Offensive coordinatorNick Caley
Defensive coordinatorMatt Burke
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsHouston Texans Team DNA
Protection Test
DeMeco Ryans is the swing factor. The staff has to solve offensive-line reliability after protection problems disrupted the offense. Houston added David Montgomery and continued investing in the offensive line.
Houston Has to Make Every Stop Count
The defense is the side that can dictate the game. Houston uses a front-four pressure defense led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. With a 6.7-point edge over the offense, every takeaway and third-down stop carries extra value. The offense has enough to help, but the defense remains the steadier side. Houston uses a play-action and dropback offense built around C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins, with more help expected from the run game.
Houston's Offense Still Has to Work Too Hard
Houston ranks 22nd in explosive-play ability. Without more chunk plays, too many drives depend on staying perfect for ten or twelve snaps.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Houston Texans Strength of Schedule
Houston has one of the league’s more favorable schedules at No. 24, with opponents averaging 78.9. Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers still give the schedule a real test, but 2 games against current top-10 teams keep the full road from looking as heavy as most.
Difficulty Rank#24No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.78.9Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.80.4Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups2Games vs. current top 10
Away games left8
Top-10 road opponents1
vs. Buffalo Bills85.6 PFM · #8
Sep 13 · 1:00 pmHomeTop 10
vs. Cincinnati Bengals79.4 PFM · #16
Sep 20 · 1:00 pmHome
at Indianapolis Colts76.1 PFM · #23
Sep 27 · 1:00 pmAwayBottom 10
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Philadelphia Eagles at 86.2 PFM.
PFM Reporter
Is David Montgomery ready for a lead role?
The Texans officially moved on from Joe Mixon and have high hopes for the recently acquired David Montgomery. Montgomery is better suited for a lead role, something he never fully had in Detroit.
Analysis updatedJune 20, 2026
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Denver Broncos
Denver BroncosMatch distance: 1.95 rating points
Shared profile: Roster Strength and QB Stability.
Houston’s offense gets early-down control from the offensive line; Denver’s offense gets on-schedule throws from the offensive line. QB Stability and Roster Strength line up because the quarterback has usable protection, route answers and a second option when the preferred matchup disappears. The separation is Coaching Direction, where the coaching staff gives Denver the more settled answer after opponents force an adjustment.
Where they separate: Coaching Direction. Broncos hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
AFC South
Houston enters as the team to catch in the AFC South. Houston can stay in the race by protecting Stroud, staying balanced and letting the pass rush create mistakes without heavy blitzing. Jacksonville is the closest AFC South challenger, but Houston still sets the defensive standard.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
Badge History1 active badge · Last verified change Jul 17, 2026
- Jul 17, 2026 · Badge tracking startedEarned Lockdown Defense
Houston Texans in the Super Bowl Era
Houston has not reached the Super Bowl.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 0
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 0
- Super Bowl Record
- No appearances
- Last Appearance
- Still chasing First appearance
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