NFL PREDICTIONS: This could be the Texans’ year

By Johnny Trlica

Commentary: Another football season is upon us and Houston Texans fans have never been this anxious to begin a new season. Last year’s surprising division championship team had a 10-7 record and went two games deep in the playoffs capping a complete turnaround for the team on Kirby Drive. But pro football isn’t the only game in town.

The University of Houston Cougars had a disappointing first season in the Big 12, going 4-8 then firing the coach. This season does not look much brighter. Over on South Main, the Rice Owls went 6-6 in their first season in the American Athletic Conference, earning a berth in the First Responders Bowl. Texas Southern should improve on last year’s 3-8 record and Houston Christian looks to top 2023’s 6-5 mark.The Houston Rainbow Herald’s Facebook page will be posting scores of all four Houston schools every weekend.

But, back to the NFL. Not to toot my own horn but, TOOT, TOOT! We correctly predicted the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl last season. Also, we forecast. “Former Texans player DeMeco Ryans was named the team’s new head coach in the off season and if his team can look as pretty on the field as he does, it will be a good season.” Nailed it!

But what about 2024? Not since the Houston Oilers won the first two AFL championships in 1960 and ’61 has the Bayou City seen a professional football champion. Is this the year to break the streak?

Here is how the divisions should stack up.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

AFC East

Buffalo Bills (12-5)

New York Jets (8-9)

Miami Dolphins (7-10)

New England Patriots (6-11)

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)

Cleveland Browns (9-8)

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-10)

AFC South

Houston Texans (13-4)

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

Indianapolis Colts (8-9)

Tennessee Titans (4-13)

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (13-4)

Las Vegas Raiders (7-10)

Denver Broncos (6-11)

Los Angeles Chargers (4-13)

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)

Dallas Cowboys (9-8)

New York Giants (7-10)

Washington Commanders (1-16)

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (11-6)

Minnesota Vikings (11-6)

Detroit Lions (9-8)

Chicago Bears (8-9)

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

New Orleans Saints (9-8)

Atlanta Falcons (6-11)

Carolina Panthers (5-12)

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams (13-4)

San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Arizona Cardinals (8-9)

Seattle Seahawks (4-13)

The Texans will improve on an already good offense and should light up a Houston scoreboard like no team has since the run n’shoot days of the Houston Gamblers in 1984. That year the USFL team put up a pro-football record 618 points. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a passer rating of 100.8 and threw for over 4,100 yards last season, despite missing two games with an injury. He had 23touchdowns and just five interceptions, was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl, and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.The Texans defense looks to improve on a stellar performance in 2023.Will Anderson Jr. won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for 2023. The pass rusher was a menace off the edge, generating seven sacks (fourth-most among rookies), 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, and 22 QB hits, most among rookies. Anderson generated 64 QB pressures and a whopping 17.3% pressure rate, both tops in his class.Are the Texans good enough to overtake the Chiefs? Yes! If they can avoid injuries and CJ Stroud is as good as last year, look for the Houston Texans to bring the Vince Lombardi Trophy home to H-Town.

AFC Championship: Texans over the Chiefs

NFC Championship: Rams over the Eagles

Super Bowl LIX: Houston 31, Los Angeles 27

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