The Texans enter the AFC playoffs with an offense that's ranked 13th in scoring (23.8 points/game) and 18th in total yardage (327 yards/game). It is quite the accomplishment, considering they've done so with a first-year offensive coordinator in Nick Caley, a completely rebuilt offensive line, an ineffective run game and the fifth-hardest strength of schedule in the entire NFL. 

Due to those factors, Houston's offensive unit has been the most polarizing aspect of the team. It's put up 25 points or more six times, while also generating less than 20 points six times. 

The Texans are 11-0 when they score 20 points or more, and they're 1-5 when they don't. Truly, it's been a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the past 18 weeks in trying to assess the projected impact of Houston's scoring production on a week to week basis. 

However, the Texans ended their season on a seven-game run of scoring at least 20 points (scoring 38+ twice). For whatever the chronic issues were through the first 10 games, they've seemed to work out some of those for the final seven. 

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud also seemed to get more comfortable throughout the campaign. 

Over the first seven contests, Stroud threw for 1,623 yards (232/game avg.), 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 96.0 passer rating. After getting concussed and missing three games, Stroud returned and finished the final six with 1,339 yards (223.1/game avg.), eight touchdowns and three interceptions, with a 93.25 passer rating. 

The numbers don't tell the full story, but Stroud and the offensive personnel began adjusting to Caley's brand of offense and started to make it their own. For example, after 17 sacks were given up in the first eight contests, only six were allowed the rest of the way. Not only that, but the rushing attack finally arrived to support the pass game. 

After eclipsing 100 or more yards on the ground only four times up until week nine, they did so six times afterwards. The unit found paydirt only three times in the aforementioned nine-game stretch, while increasing that number to six at season's end. 

All things considered, the offense is still not ideally where desired to be at the end of the regular season. There are still various kinks to work out and personnel decisions to be made when the 2026 offseason begins after February's Super Bowl in Santa Clara. 

However, they've made noticeable improvements that bode well for a deeper playoff run than what they've been used to in the past two seasons. If they can continue to keep Stroud upright, run the ball effectively, convert in the red zone and consistently take advantage of great field goal positioning, Houston looks primed to make their case for legitimacy in the Super Bowl conversation. 

It all starts against defensive end T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Can they apply the various lessons they've learned and come out of Acrisure Stadium victorious to end the AFC Wildcard weekend? 

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