Could C.J. Stroud and the Texans have challenged the Seahawks' dominance? Analysts ponder the Super Bowl LX matchup that might have been.
With the confetti still being swept off the field and the Seattle Seahawks basking in their Super Bowl LX glory, the post-game chatter hasn't been about the actual matchup. Mostly chatter on social media has been about the half-time show with Bad Bunny. Like every year, mixed reviews of the half-time show somehow clouds the big stage game-play. But for Houston fans, the falling confetti has been dominated by one nagging question of, Could the Houston Texans have given Seattle a better fight?
While the NFC champions ultimately dismantled their opponent, there is a mounting sentiment among analysts and fans alike that a Texans-Seahawks matchup would have been the "Heavyweight Title" fight the league deserved.
The Matchup We Wanted: Stroud vs. The "Legion of Boom 2.0"
The primary reason Houston feels like a "missed" opportunity is the sheer caliber of their offense. Under C.J. Stroud, the Texans didn’t just play football, they played a high-stakes game of chess at 100 mph, especially after his comeback from concussion protocol.
The Quarterback Factor: Seattle’s secondary thrived on pressure and forced errors. However, Stroud’s hallmark has been his uncanny ability to remain poised under fire. Unlike the AFC representative we saw on Sunday, Stroud possibly could have had the surgical precision to exploit the tiny windows in Seattle’s zone.
The Schematic Edge: Houston’s offensive scheme is built on versatility. With a healthy mix of deep threats and a bruising ground game, they would have forced Seattle’s defense to play "honest" rather than stacking the box. Stroud would have had Nico Collins in the mix, which would have powered up Stroud's confidence.
Why Houston Might Have Flipped the Script
If we look at the X's and O's, the Houston Texans posed two specific threats that the Seahawks didn’t have to face in the actual Super Bowl. Let's take a look at what type of impact the Houston Texans could of had on the Seattle Seahawks.
Pass Protection: A top-tier offensive line that anchored the AFC South would have neutralized Seattle’s interior pass rush. We all saw how the Texans secondary forced teams to executing run schemes.
Defensive Pressure: Will Anderson Jr. and the Houston front four would have forced the Seahawks into quick, uncomfortable throws.
In-Game Adjustments: DeMeco Ryans’ reputation for elite second-half pivots would have prevented the "runaway train" effect we saw in the 3rd quarter. Without the weather fighting the Texans as well, Houston could have made it out the frozen wet tundra in New England.
A Closer Contest, but a Different Game
Would the Texans have won? That’s a toss-up. Seattle was a juggernaut this year, playing with a level of physicality that seemed destined for a ring.
However, it is hard not to argue that the game wouldn't have been more competitive with the Texans as an opponent versus the New England Patriots. Houston’s roster was built specifically to counter the high-flying, aggressive style that Seattle mastered. We likely wouldn't have seen a blowout, but we would have seen a back-and-forth affair decided in the final two minutes.
The Texans didn't make it to the big stage this year, but their "What If" shadow looms large over the Super Bowl LX trophy. They weren't just a better potential opponent, but rather they were the only team that seemed equipped to trade blows with the champs for four full quarters.