Shanahan's Super Bowl comparison highlights Houston's defensive strength, but reveals a critical offensive vulnerability that cost them a championship run.
The Houston Texans are among the teams unhappy with how their 2025 season ended. That is always the case for 31 teams in the league, and the only team celebrating is the Seattle Seahawks heading into the 2026 offseason. The Seahawks took down the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, largely thanks to their dominant defense and the offense's ability to protect the football.
The Seahawks' defense has been praised throughout the season, and the group has performed extremely well throughout the postseason. In a lot of ways, the Seahawks are similar to the Texans. Kyle Shanahan made that comparison during some on-field coverage ahead of Super Bowl LX, "I think there were two Super Bowl defenses this year and it was Seattle & Houston. When I say that, it means they’re capable of winning all on their own if the other side of the ball, special teams & offense, don’t mess it up.”
The Seahawks got to Super Bowl LX because of the defense, but the offense also did its part, putting points on the board and protecting the football. Seattle didn't turn the ball over once during the playoffs, which is quite the opposite of the Texans. Houston's offense, particularly quarterback C.J. Stroud, struggled to protect the football in the team's two playoff games. The turnovers from Stroud are a big reason the Texans were unable to make it to the AFC Championship Game.
Stroud threw four interceptions during the loss to the Patriots, and Woody Marks also lost a fumble while Houston was driving down the field. It is nearly impossible to beat a good team while turning the ball over five times, and that was the case for Houston.
Shanahan knows what it takes to reach the Super Bowl, as he has twice led his team to the big game as a head coach. He believes the Texans' defense had what it took to carry Houston to San Francisco for the contest, but the offensive implosion against New England was impossible to overcome.
Shanahan's 49ers lost to the Seahawks twice during the 2025 season, and he also lost to the Texans earlier in the year. He has first-hand experience with both teams, and he is able to say that the Texans defense was good enough to bring the team to the Super Bowl, and even win it. This should give fans a lot to think about, as it is clear that some improvements need to be made on the offensive side of the ball during the 2026 offseason.