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Are the Texans cooked after their 0-4 start? Why a sliver of hope still remains for Houston

The Houston Texans entered the 2026 season as one of the NFL’s most intriguing dark horses, backed by a dominant defense and a revamped offensive line supporting quarterback CJ Stroud. However, after a dismal 0-4 start, the team now faces an existential crisis, with their defense faring worse than expected and the offense struggling to find consistency.

The unit has allowed 2.42 points per drive through four games—the worst start since Demeco Ryans took over as head coach—and is a stark contrast to last season’s elite defensive performance, which held opponents to just 1.21 points per drive. Injuries to key offensive players like Nico Collins and an offensive line still adjusting have compounded the struggles, while the defense’s early-season collapse has forced Ryans to reclaim playcalling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke, signaling deeper concerns about the unit’s cohesion and execution.

The Texans’ path forward grows increasingly difficult, especially after their defense has underperformed against some of the league’s toughest offenses, including Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Dallas. With starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair missing, the unit lacks its usual anchor, and the team’s inability to secure a win—even against winless Tennessee—threatens to derail their season entirely.

While the Texans defied expectations in 2025 by turning a 0-3 start into a playoff run, a 0-4 slump is a far steeper hill to climb, with only the 1992 Chargers managing such a feat before reaching the postseason. For Houston, the clock is ticking, and the next few weeks will determine whether this season is salvageable or another early-season collapse in the making.

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