Are Texans 'Way-Too-Early' 2025 Super Bowl Contenders?

The Houston Texans make the list of contenders who could advance to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Super Bowl LVIII is rapidly approaching. It's a bittersweet Sunday for many NFL fans whose own team fell short and don't have alliances with the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers.

While Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hopes to defeat Brock Purdy's Niners to be crowned Super Bowl LVIII Champions in Las Vegas, Sports Illustrated decided to look ahead to the top 10 non-championship teams that have the best odds of playing in the Super Bowl in 2025.

The Houston Texans make the list of contenders who could advance to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Why?

"The Texans have a bright future for many reasons other than rookie sensation C.J. Stroud," writes SI. "They’re set at the premium positions because they have two productive wide receivers (Nico Collins, Tank Dell) and two dominant edge rushers (Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard, a pending free agent)."

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) shakes hands with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during a time out to check for a touchdown run during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud was named a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The other finalists are L.A. Rams receiver Puka Nacua, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. The NFL Honors show is scheduled for Thursday night in Las Vegas during Super Bowl Week.

"Houston also has a star in the making with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., and it’s set at offensive tackle with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard. And we can’t forget the sensational job DeMeco Ryans did in his first season as the coach," continued SI. 

Surprisingly, the team at the top of the list is the Cincinnati Bengals, who finished fourth in the AFC North this season. The reasoning is that a healthy Joe Burrow gives the Bengals the best case for advancing to next year’s Super Bowl.

Next up for Houston? The Pro Bowl. The Texans will send three players to Orlando: Stroud, who was named an alternate for Mahomes, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Stroud became the first quarterback to achieve the feat since Deshaun Watson in 2019.