Houston Texans Receive Bold Prediction on 2026 Season

The Houston Texans have a great defense. That's not breaking news. Still, it is interesting to see just how good those outside of the organization view the team's dominant defense heading into another year with head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Ryans' group has commanded its fair share of positive press over the last year. It's been warranted.

The Texans' defense carried the team to a nine-game winning streak and postseason berth last year. The team added a blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before ultimately falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.

So, how good can the Texans be this year? One analyst says they can be Top 10 even in the event of a couple of injuries. Here's what Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport had to say on the team's upside for 2026.

"Best Case: In terms of both points and yards allowed last year, the Texans were the best defense in the NFL in 2025—and that defense is largely intact this year. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter on the edge. Azeez Al-Shaair at linebacker. Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre in the defensive backfield. This defense is as loaded and balanced as any in the game. Provided they can avoid major injuries, the Texans are going to be hard to move the ball on once more.

Worst Case: Frankly, a rash of injuries appears to be about the only thing that could derail the Texans defense this year. Houston just doesn't have a glaring weak spot at any level defensively. In fact, the team could probably weather an injury or two and still be a Top 10 unit. But say the loss of Anderson or Stingley for a prolonged period of time would be a major blow for a team with hopes of a deep playoff run."

That the Texans could be a Top 10 defensive unit even with injury is certainly a bold claim. The team has been rumored to have questions in regard to depth at edge and linebacker. That said, the starters are good enough that the unit could be fine on the whole.

Houston is elite defensively at every level: Defensive line, linebacker and defensive back. There are few if any weaknesses in the starting group.

The Texans have something to prove in the 2026 season. They will hope to do so emphatically with a strong start in Week 1.