And for NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, after what's been shown from the past six weeks of the season, the Texans and their “muscle-bruising" defense could have the right variables in play to make a potential Super Bowl run.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL game from December 14, 2025 on ESPN.

Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett could hear from the NFL this week after an incident against the Arizona Cardinals.

The retired Houston Texans' legend is still confident in his ability to still get a sack in the NFL, if necessary.

Here's where the Texans stack up in FPI ratings entering their Week 16 showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

Quarterback Geno Smith will start for the Las Vegas Raiders when they visit Houston on Sunday. Kenny Pickett got the start against the Eagles, but passed for only 64 yards and was sacked four times. Coach Pete Carroll confirmed that Smith not only will start against the Texans,

After sitting out a week with a shoulder injury, Geno Smith returned to practice and will start for the Raiders on Sunday.

That leaves the Bears one game up on the Lions entering Week 17, when Chicago faces another potential playoff team in the 49ers. Even at 10-4 and second in the NFC, Chicago is in a precarious position given the difficulty of its schedule, which concludes with ...

That doesn't mean the former Stanford Cardinal is having a down year either; the Texans tight end is, in fact, leading the team with 70 catches. Schultz could well be the Texans' unsung hero on the offensive side of the ball, but starting quarterback C.J. Stroud really values the chemistry he enjoys with his teammate.