Texans Listed Among Winners of 2023 NFL Season
The Houston Texans, led by quarterback rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, stole the hearts of the football world in 2023.
People love an underdog story, and people love the cardiac kids they became. Houston played in 10 one-possession games this season, winning seven of them.
Sure, it came to an abrupt end in the AFC Divisional Round, acting as a brief reminder of how far they still have to go, but what a year it was. After 10 regular-season wins, an AFC South championship, and a dominant playoff win, just about everybody is optimistic.
Houston Texas coach DeMeco Ryans (left) shakes hands with quarterback C.J. Stroud (right).
© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
As further confirmation, Sports Illustrated listed them as a definitive “winner” of the NFL season, joining the ranks of the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and Cleveland Browns.
While these teams make up different stages of competitive windows and rebuilds, they share a similar brand of optimism – one that Stroud provides in spades.
“Outside of winning the Super Bowl, the biggest accomplishment an organization can achieve is landing and developing a superstar quarterback,” wrote Gilberto Manzano. “That’s what Houston has in C.J. Stroud, who delivered one of the best rookie seasons ever for a quarterback.”
Stroud, boasting Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions across 15 games. He almost immediately made the Texans dangerous.
He isn’t alone in his success. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was a Coach of the Year candidate himself, and so many of their young players hit. Receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell broke out while the third-overall pick, edge rusher Will Anderson, brought home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. blossomed and it seemed like every part-timer stepped up when asked.
Staving off regression and building on positive momentum by taking the necessary big swings in the offseason will be key to remaining competitive and taking the next step forward in 2024.
