Houston Texans NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Power Rankings!

Last week, the Houston Texans kicked off their season with an high-scoring victory against the division rival Indianapolis Colts . Houston got pro-bowl caliber production from Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, and C.J. Stroud in this game as the Texans offense showed that their firepower has only gone up since their last meeting with Indy in the 2023 regular season finale.

This week, Houston surprised many when they followed up last week's offensive masterpiece with a defensive struggle against the Chicago Bears . Led by defensive coordinator Eric Washington, this Bears defensive line gave a Juice Scruggs-less Texans offensive line trouble all night long. Houston only scored three points in the second half! Three points!!!

By new-look Houston Texans standards, that's absolutely unacceptable. That's Davis Mills numbers, not C.J. Stroud numbers! Defensive end DeMarcus Walker, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and safety Jaquan Brisker had a field day at NRG Stadium on Sunday, making Joe Mixon look like yesterday's news.

Fortunately for Houston, their own defense was feeling the same kind of way. For as much pressure Stroud was under on his side, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was under far more from Houston's defensive line. Defensive end Danielle Hunter looked like a premium pass rusher and was the leader of a seven-sack effort by the Texans defense. Yes, seven! Somehow, some way, this team got seven sacks in the game. Both cornerbacks grabbed their first interceptions of the season, too! Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter played like lockdown corners against Caleb Williams, looking more like their training camp selves than in week one. Chicago might not be the league's most lethal offense, but holding any team to 13 points is worth celebrating.

Surely this effort by Houston is worth some boost in the power rankings, right? Right????? Here's where the Houston Texans are ranked entering Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season: