The AFC has been top-heavy for a few years now due to elite quarterback play, as the Kansas City Chiefs have run the conference with the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens proving to be consistent, dangerous foes.
Those three should be firmly in the mix once again in 2025, but analyst Dan Orlovsky is a big believer in one team from the next tier below taking a step forward and having a big year.
While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Orlovsky hyped up the Houston Texans and said they are going to be “awesome” this year.
“I think Houston’s gonna be awesome this year. I think Houston has a little bit of a massive bounce-back year. Their defense is absolutely loaded. There’s a little bit of a mix-and-match with their offensive line. I think they’re gonna be awesome this year. Everyone stupidly talked about this regression for C.J. Stroud last year. His numbers weren’t all that different than they were his rookie year. More interceptions, no doubt, but the offensive line was bottom-five in the NFL. I think it’s gonna be fantastic,” Orlovsky said.
“I think the Houston Texans are gonna be awesome this year..
Their defense is absolutely loaded and I think that offense will be fantastic” ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/u7PjKeRZIq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 23, 2025
Houston and C.J. Stroud went through a bit of a sophomore slump last season, but the Texans still won the AFC South and won a playoff game before ultimately succumbing to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
With some better health at the wide receiver position and what will, hopefully, be a better offensive line, the Texans are poised to make another run and will be looking to get Stroud back on track.
Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson are the newcomers at left tackle and left guard, while the Texans also spent a second-round pick on Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery, who will ideally develop into a long-term solution protecting Stroud’s blind side.
The defense has talent everywhere, and this team has been knocking at the door for a couple of years ever since Stroud came to town.
It will be fun to see if the Texans can finally kick that door down in 2025.
