The underdog arc: How Houston defied a 0–3 start to history
In short: Most teams fold after three straight losses, but the 2025 Houston Texans rewrote the playbook. By turning a disastrous opening into a nine-game winning streak, they became the first franchise in NFL history to reach the playoffs from an 0–3 start twice.
The 2025 season was defined by extreme volatility and eventual resilience. The Texans opened with a 0–3 record—their worst start since 2020—and sat at a precarious 3–5 through Week 9. Nevertheless, a win against the Indianapolis Colts sparked a streak of nine consecutive victories. Such momentum led to a 12–5 conclusion, exceeding their total wins from the prior two years and guaranteeing a third straight playoff spot.
The team achieved several franchise milestones during this run. They became the first team in NFL history to qualify for the postseason after starting 0–3 on multiple occasions (having previously done so in 2018). Additionally, they secured a Wild Card berth for the first time ever, despite losing the AFC South title to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. Defensively, Houston set new franchise records by limiting opponents to just 17.3 points and 277.2 yards per game throughout the season.
The postseason provided a mix of historic highs and lows. In the Wild Card Round, Houston defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6, marking their initial away postseason triumph. However, their journey ended in the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots. In that matchup, quarterback CJ Stroud threw four interceptions in the first half, preventing Houston from reaching its first-ever AFC Championship Game appearance.
Offensive shifts also marked this era. Following the season, the team underwent a coaching overhaul, firing Bobby Slowik and Chris Strausser before hiring Nick Caley as offensive coordinator on February 3, 2026. These moves followed a year where C.J. Stroud led the team to its first-ever road win in Baltimore—a dominant 44–10 victory that set a franchise record for most points in a road game.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 Houston Texans season
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