The Houston Texans have the league’s top defense, a revamped run game and a new offensive line.
Naturally, thinking a postseason berth is in the future wouldn’t be too far-fetched, right?
Actually, wrong, at least according to Fox Sports.
NFL writer Henry McKenna recently revealed his way-too-early postseason picture following the schedule release for the 2026 season. Naturally, teams like the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots made the cut after a promising offseason.
As for the AFC South? McKenna has Jacksonville securing a 10-7 record and the division title over the Texans, thus earning the reigning division champions the No. 3 overall seed.
“The AFC South feels like a coin flip between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. I’ll take the Jags, in large part because I trust coach Liam Coen, and because of Texans quarterback,” McKenna wrote. “C.J. Stroud’s playoff collapse. But Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Coen figured something out last year, and I think they can sustain their success.”
Stroud’s downfall in the postseason has warranted criticism. He tossed four interceptions in the divisional round loss against New England and had three more in the wild-card round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. What’s even worse is that the former No. 2 overall pick completed less than 52 percent of his pass attempts and totaled just two touchdown passes.
Now that the full 2026 NFL schedule has been released, @henrycmckenna is giving you his way-too-early playoff bracket prediction 🔮
Read more: https://t.co/cgyJ3Et9cwpic.twitter.com/C5T1GGnJ3n
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 16, 2026
But the Jaguars are somewhat starting over in three key positions. Running back Travis Etienne signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints, thus leaving a hole at RB1. All-Pro linebacker candidate Devin Lloyd inked a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on what might be the best bargain signing of the offseason, thus leaving a hole up the middle. And the offensive line is replacing a pair of starters while Brian Thomas Jr. still remains a question mark.
What’s worse is the fact that Houston was simply left out of all postseason talk. The Cincinnati Bengals received the nod for the AFC North title, thus leaving Baltimore up for grabs as a wild-card team. And despite having a first-place schedule, McKenna still sees New England as a better roster, thus giving the reinging AFC champions the final playoff bid.
While the Texans could lose the division title, finishing with less than 11 wins, even with potentially underwhelming quarterback play from Stroud, is just illogical thinking from anyone who knows the game.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans snubbed a playoff spot in Fox Sports’ way-too-early postseason predictions