4. Houston Texans (12-5 in 2025)
The Houston Texans roster is simply loaded, and it's a group good enough to win the Super Bowl this year. Despite starting 0-3 in the 2025 season, the Texans still managed to finish 12-5, so had this team not started 0-3, they absolutely could have earned the top seed in the AFC or at least captured the AFC South title.
The main issue with Houston is obviously QB CJ Stroud, as he's been average the past two seasons of his career after an insanely successful rookie season. For whatever reason, that rookie season magic just has not been there since the start of 2024, but Stroud and the Texans have advanced into the Divisional Round each year of his career.
The 2026 season is simple: if Stroud plays like he did as a rookie, Houston is playing football in February, but if it's more of the same this year, Houston will again fall short. With that said, we still have to give this team props, as there might not be a more talented defense in the league. Even with the offense missing Jayden Higgins and not having Tank Dell yet, that unit still sports enough talent to be effective.
Houston is No. 4 in our power rankings and really isn't missing anything on paper.
3. Seattle Seahawks (14-3 in 2025)
The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last year but did lose key players in the offseason in Kenneth Walker, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant, and Riq Woolen. While they did get some contract extensions done, what we saw this offseason was typically what does happen when teams win the Super Bowl.
Certain players just price their way off the team in free agency, and it's a roster transition that isn't always the easiest to get through. However, Seattle's drafting and overall talent acquisition has been outstanding, so there might not be much of a dropoff.
With how deep the defense is, Seattle can continue relying on that unit to help close out games, and with Sam Darnold now being in his second year with the team, a smal uptick in play is on the table.
I'd not be totally shocked if Seattle regressed a bit, but head coach Mike Macdonald brought immediate change to this franchise and still managed to win 10 games in 2024 even though the team missed the playoffs.
Seattle's standing is still strong.
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