Staying on top in the NFL is no easy feat. It’s a constant struggle to maintain success in a league where one year you could be a Super Bowl contender and the next year you could be fighting for a playoff spot. As Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce famously said, “Remaining on the mountaintop is more difficult than the journey there. It’s easier to be the hunter than the hunted. Hungry dogs run faster.”
The Houston Texans know this struggle all too well. After surprising everyone last season by making the playoffs, they are now faced with the pressure of living up to the hype as the reigning AFC South champions heading into the 2024 season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be harder. We have a target on our back this year. That’s how you should want it.”
Despite the high expectations, Stroud remains confident that hard work will lead to success. He believes that “The story is already written,” hinting at a possible deep postseason run for the Texans. However, projections from USA TODAY Sports paint a different picture, predicting Houston to fall just short of reaching Super Bowl 59.
Analyzing the teams that made the playoffs last season, the San Francisco 49ers stand out as a strong contender to return to postseason action. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have consistently been in the mix, reaching the NFC title game four out of the past five seasons. Avoiding major injuries will be key for San Francisco, as they look to build on their solid roster led by stars like Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams.
As the NFL season approaches, the Texans and 49ers find themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum. Houston is striving to meet the high expectations set for them, while San Francisco aims to continue their recent success and make another deep playoff run. In a league where fortunes can change in an instant, both teams know the importance of maintaining a winning mentality to stay ahead of the competition.
