The 2025/2026 Premier Madden League season for the Houston Texans was one of tantalizing promise mixed with frustration. The team finished 9–8, just missing the playoffs, in a campaign defined by the suspension of quarterback C.J. Stroud and a midseason rollercoaster that ultimately kept Houston from realizing its full potential.
Through the first seven weeks, with Stroud at the helm, the Texans’ offense was electric. They opened with narrow but dramatic wins over the Rams and Buccaneers before dominating the Ravens and Titans with precision passing and an aggressive, downfield attack. Houston’s offense averaged over 40 points per game during this stretch, and Stroud’s ability to stretch the field made the team one of the PML’s most dangerous squads. Confidence was high, and the Texans looked like legitimate contenders in the AFC South.
Then came the suspension that would reshape the season. From Weeks 8 through 13, Davis Mills took over the quarterback duties, and while Houston retained its aggressive offensive identity, the results were inconsistent. Mills could execute the scheme, but without Stroud’s timing and playmaking ability, turnovers and missed opportunities piled up. The Texans scored in the mid-30s in several games, including a 35–37 loss in Denver and a 26–47 defeat against the Colts, but they could not sustain the explosive rhythm that had defined the early season.
Despite the struggles, Houston’s defense and playmakers kept the team competitive in many of these contests. They managed to eke out a 45–38 win over the Titans and stayed in every game, but close losses against the 49ers, Bills, and Jaguars underscored the gap left by Stroud’s absence. The suspension clearly cost Houston crucial wins and, ultimately, a shot at the playoffs.
Stroud returned in Week 14, immediately revitalizing the Texans’ offense. His first game back against the Chiefs, a 42–38 victory, was a reminder of the team’s full potential. Houston’s offense regained its swagger, and even in high-scoring losses like the 41–35 matchup with the Cardinals, the team showed it could compete with the league’s best. The final weeks featured back-to-back shootout wins over the Raiders and Chargers, including a 62–59 thriller that highlighted just how lethal the Texans could be when fully firing.
Ultimately, the midseason stretch without Stroud proved too costly. Houston’s 9–8 record left them just shy of the postseason, turning what could have been a dominant campaign into a story of missed opportunity. While Mills did his best to keep the offense moving, the lack of elite quarterback execution during that stretch was the difference between contention and heartbreak.
Looking forward, the 2025/2026 Texans leave a season of lessons and optimism. Their aggressive offensive identity remained intact even without Stroud, demonstrating the system’s strength. With a full season of Stroud under center and a roster that showed resilience under adversity, Houston is positioned to turn last year’s disappointment into a playoff-ready campaign in the upcoming season.
