Nick Wright lays out why CJ Stroud, Texans have best chance to challenge Chiefs
A NEW CHALLENGER EMERGES
27 February 2024
What should we expect from the 2024 Texans? Composite Getty Image.
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off back-to-back Super Bowl championships, and it doesn't look like they're slowing down anytime soon. But if they were to take a step back in 2024, free agency could be one of the main reasons.
The Chiefs were elite on the defensive side of the ball this past season, and two of their best defenders could be moving on to another team. Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed are expected to command a ton of money on the open market that KC may not be able to match.
So if that happens and the Chiefs aren't quite as loaded in 2024, which team has the best chance to challenge them? According to most sportsbooks, the Ravens, Bills, and Bengals have the best opening odds to win the AFC if we eliminate the Chiefs from the conversation.
However, FS1's Nick Wright doesn't see it that way. He's a huge Kansas City fan, so he doesn't really see any team as a true threat. But if he has to pick one, he's going with CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans.
Are the Texans the next team up to challenge the Chiefs?
— @getnickwright on why Houston reminds him of the Cincinnati Bengals when they beat KC: pic.twitter.com/NQNu6qeNCn
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 20, 2024
Nick makes the case that the Texans are already a playoff team, with Houston winning their division and a playoff game in 2023. They have a great QB, and consistency at head coach and the coordinator positions. He believes Houston has a similar blueprint as the 2021 Bengals, the only team to knock off the Chiefs in the AFC over the last five seasons.
Joe Burrow was in his second year, just like Stroud. He had two big time playmakers at receiver with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. And they were able to load up on defense in free agency before the season.
That does sound a lot like the Texans, who have the seventh-most cap space, according to PFF.
Updated cap space leaders 👀💰 pic.twitter.com/VyBkrB4aj9
— PFF (@PFF) February 23, 2024
And Nico Collins and Tank Dell provide Stroud with a ton of firepower out wide. If there's a team that can make a big leap and challenge KC, don't be surprised if it's the Texans.
What do the odds say?
If we look at those same odds from above for the AFC, Houston has the sixth-best odds to win the conference and head to the Super Bowl. Here's what the opening odds for 2024 look like.
Kansas City Chiefs +360
Baltimore Ravens +425
Buffalo Bills +475
Cincinnati Bengals +700
Miami Dolphins +1100
Houston Texans +1200
Los Angeles Chargers +1400
New York Jets +1400
Jacksonville Jaguars +1400
Cleveland Browns +2000
Be sure to check out the short video above as Nick makes his case for Houston.
It’s starting to look like the Astros knew exactly what they were doing.
What once felt like a risky move is quickly shaping up to be a win for Houston — and maybe a defining pivot point for the franchise. In this episode, we dig into how the Astros may actually be better off in the wake of the Kyle Tucker trade, thanks to a new wave of production and smart roster-building.
Cam Smith continues to rise with another eye-catching performance, launching two home runs and making the case that he’s already ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Isaac Paredes has quietly emerged as a legitimate successor to Alex Bregman, offering power and presence in the infield.
And while Jeremy Peña wasn’t part of the Tucker deal, his 2024 resurgence adds even more fuel to the argument that this team is thriving — not surviving. The Astros aren’t just plugging holes. They’re planning for what’s next.
We also look at the bigger picture: What if Houston had moved on earlier from other aging or underperforming stars? Could they have been ahead of the curve even sooner?
So who’s really winning this breakup — the Astros or Kyle Tucker? We break it all down.
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