Houston Texans Draw Massive Rating In New NFL Power Rankings

The Houston Texans were one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises in 2023, as they went 10-7 and won the AFC South after being predicted to finish in the basement by most entering the year.

Now, the Texans are widely viewed as the favorites to repeat as division champions in 2024, and after adding names like wide receiver Stefon Diggs and edge rusher Danielle Hunter this offseason, many even feel they will challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for AFC supremacy.

Bleacher Report’s NFL staff has released its latest set of NFL power rankings, and in doing so, they ranked Houston fourth in the league behind the Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

Do the math. That means Bleacher Report has the Texans second in the AFC.

Are the Texans really the Chiefs’ biggest threat in the AFC?

On paper, Houston certainly looks menacing.

C.J. Stroud seems primed for superstardom after a historically great rookie campaign. The Texans may also have the league’s best receiving corps, which consists of Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

The weaponry doesn’t stop there, however.

Houston added running back Joe Mixon via trade, and Dalton Schultz is one of the game’s most underrated tight ends.

Plus, the Texans have a rather impressive offensive line, and the pass-rushing tandem of Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. could wreak havoc defensively.

But the game isn’t played on paper.

There are absolutely things that can go wrong for Houston in 2024.

Stroud could have a sophomore slump. Diggs—who didn’t log a single 100-yard game after Week 6 last season—may have trouble fitting in. Mixon’s inefficiency could end up being an issue.

Also, the Texans’ defense ranked just 14th in 2023. The addition of Hunter should absolutely help, but they aren’t exactly the Cleveland Browns on that side of the football.

On top of all of that, the AFC is pretty loaded. It stands to reason that Houston may not even be a top four team in the conference when it’s all said and done. Not when clubs like the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets are around.

Heck, the Texans may even face stiff competition in their own division.

So, yes: Houston definitely looks good, and there is no question that it has one of the highest ceilings in football going into 2024.

But it’s far too early to put a saddle on the Texans.

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