Texans Offensive Line, C.J. Stroud, and ELITE Defense SET Houston’s Playoff Course in 2026

Houston Texans eye their first AFC Championship Game appearance as Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter form the league’s most feared pass rush duo. With a defense ranked in the top three in nearly every major category, are the Texans primed to follow the blueprint of recent Super Bowl champions? Joe Marino and Kyle Crabbs examine the Texans’ roster overhaul, including Braden Smith’s stabilizing presence on the offensive line and Nico Collins’ rise as a cornerstone pass-catcher. Discussions cover C.J. Stroud’s critical year, the backfield’s new dynamic with David Montgomery and Woody Marks, and a revamped secondary lauded as the NFL’s best. Can DeMeco Ryans’ squad avoid late-season pitfalls and capitalize on an imposing defensive identity? Key schedule matchups, depth concerns, and win projections shape the outlook for Houston’s championship pursuit. Photo Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl! #squarepod Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)