Editor’s note: This is one of a series of NFL previews by The Dallas Express.
Houston Texans
2022 SEASON: 3-13-1, last in AFC South
Houston has had a couple of rough seasons in a row as it tries to make many changes amid a rebuild. The Texans started the season off with a tie against the Indianapolis Colts, which turned out to be a high point in the season.
The team won just three games, beating Jacksonville, Tennessee, and then Indianapolis in the regular season finale. The low point was a nine-game losing streak — including an overtime loss to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs — that helped lead to the firing of head coach Lovie Smith after just one season.
Davis Mills took over as the team’s starting quarterback and threw for 3,118 yards and 17 touchdowns while tying Dallas’ Dak Prescott for the league lead in interceptions with 15. Rookie Dameon Pearce emerged as the No.1 running back as the offense scored the third-least points in the league.
The defense did not fair much better, finishing 27th out of 32 teams in points allowed.
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WHAT’S NEW
A new coaching staff comes to Houston for the third consecutive year, as former Pro Bowl linebacker and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Dameco Ryans replaces Smith. Ryans played for the Texans from 2006 to 2011 and led one of the league’s elite defenses as an assistant in San Francisco.
The Texans also have a new quarterback as second-overall pick C.J. Stroud has won the starting job over Mills. Stroud was considered one of the elite quarterback prospects in the draft and was part of back-to-back picks made by Houston in the first round, along with Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson.
While there are a few veterans on the roster, the team is extremely young and will be leaning on quite a few inexperienced players, hoping they learn and grow to contribute sooner rather than later.
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2023 SCHEDULE
Sun 09/10: at Baltimore Ravens, noon CT, CBS
Sun 09/17: vs Indianapolis Colts, noon CT, FOX
Sun 09/24: at Jacksonville Jaguars, noon CT, FOX
Sun 10/01: vs Pittsburgh Steelers, noon CT, CBS
Sun 10/08: at Atlanta Falcons, noon CT, FOX
Sun 10/15: vs New Orleans Saints, noon CT, FOX
Thurs 10/19 – Sun 10/22: BYE WEEK
Sun 10/29: at Carolina Panthers, noon CT, FOX
Sun 11/05: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, noon CT, CBS
Sun 11/12: at Cincinnati Bengals, noon CT, CBS
Sun 11/19: vs Arizona Cardinals, noon CT, CBS
Sun 11/26: vs Jacksonville Jaguars, noon CT, CBS
Sun 12/03: vs Denver Broncos, 3:05 p.m. CT, CBS
Sun 12/10: at New York Jets, noon CT, CBS
Sun 12/17: at Tennessee Titans, noon CT, CBS
Sun 12/24: vs Cleveland Browns, noon CT, CBS
Sun 12/31: vs Tennessee Titans, noon CT, FOX
Sat 01/06 or Sun 01/07: at Indianapolis Colts, TBD
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PLAYER TO WATCH
TE Dalton Schultz
Cowboys fans are familiar with Schultz after his performances with Dallas over the last couple of seasons. The Stanford product signed with Houston in the offseason. He is easily the top tight end on the team and may be one of its leading receivers, given the youth of its offense and his successful track record.
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ROOKIE TO WATCH
QB C.J. Stroud
It’s an easy choice here, although there are others to watch as well. Stroud was a two-year starter at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to a college football playoff appearance and throwing for over 8,000 yards with 85 touchdowns. No one outside the franchise knows how truly ready he is for the NFL, but becoming a day-one starter in the pros is no small accomplishment, and he will get every chance to prove he belongs.
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BREAKOUT CANDIDATE
WR Nico Collins
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. could also fit here, but Collins is the choice because of his potential to elevate the Texans’ offense. The Michigan product has the height, size, and athleticism of an elite NFL receiver but needs to put it all together. If he can do that, he could become the No.1 receiver in Houston and give Stroud a trustworthy target as they adjust to the league together.
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WHY CAN THEY CONTEND?
Houston is not likely to make the playoffs this year, but young rosters have made surprising runs in the past. There is no dominant team in the AFC South, which means, in theory, all four teams could take it.
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OBSTACLES
The Texans are young and have gone through many staffing and personnel changes over recent years. There is talent on the roster, but it is still developing.
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2023 Prediction
Record: 4-13
Result: Last in AFC South
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The Texans have a long way to go before they can think about being serious contenders for the playoffs. The schedule is soft enough to get a few wins, but this team is one that will not likely do much during the 2023 season. The best they can hope for is that their young players develop and carry momentum into next season.