Texans Are Putting Their Early-Season Struggles Further Behind Them

The Houston Texans have spent much of the 2026 season trying to overcome the hole they dug for themselves early in the year. After an 0-4 start, there were legitimate questions about whether this team had what it takes to compete in the AFC. However, the conversation surrounding Houston has changed considerably over the past several weeks, and its offense is becoming one of the biggest reasons for optimism.

The Texans have put together an impressive offensive stretch since escaping their early-season struggles. According to The Athletic's Chad Graff, Houston has the second-best offense in the NFL in EPA per play since its 0-4 start, trailing only the Cincinnati Bengals. That is a remarkable turnaround for a unit that struggled to find consistency during the opening month of the season.

Sunday's blowout victory over the Los Angeles Chargers offered another example of just how dangerous this offense can be when everything is clicking. C.J. Stroud put together arguably his best performance of the season, throwing for 384 yards and five touchdowns. He consistently found ways to attack the Chargers' defense, and Houston's offense looked comfortable operating at just about every level of the field.

As Graff pointed out, the Texans still have some work to do before they can completely erase the disappointment of their 0-4 start. One impressive blowout, does not automatically make Houston a legitimate Super Bowl contender. However, the numbers over the past several weeks suggest this is more than just a temporary hot streak.

Stroud's continued development has played a major role in the turnaround. The quarterback has looked increasingly comfortable, and his ability to distribute the football while making plays downfield has given the Texans' offense another dimension. Houston also appears to be finding better balance, allowing the offense to avoid becoming overly dependent on any one player or approach.

There is still plenty of football left to be played, and the Texans need to prove they can maintain this level of production against different defensive looks and tougher competition. Their early-season struggles also leave them with very little margin for error as they attempt to climb the AFC standings.

Still, the recent results are difficult to ignore. Houston has gone from one of the league's most disappointing offenses to one of its most productive units in a relatively short period. If Stroud and the rest of the offense can sustain this level of play, the Texans could become a much more dangerous team than their early-season record suggests.