Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans

As the NFL playoff semifinals take center stage, the Houston Texans have emerged as a surprise standout—not just as a team, but as a source of individual brilliance, with multiple stars set to play pivotal roles in determining which franchises advance to the Super Bowl. Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans marks a milestone for the franchise, which hasn’t reached this deep into the playoffs since 2019, and it’s a testament to the team’s balanced talent across offense, defense, and special teams. For Texans fans, this moment is a reward for years of rebuilding, as the stars they’ve watched develop—from rookie phenoms to seasoned veterans—now get to showcase their skills on one of the league’s biggest stages. Whether it’s clutch passing, dominant defense, or game-changing special teams plays, the Texans’ stars are poised to leave their mark on the semifinals.

Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans is headlined by quarterback C.J. Stroud, whose breakout rookie season has been nothing short of historic. Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, led the Texans to a 10-7 regular-season record, throwing for 4,105 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions—numbers that earned him Pro Bowl honors and made him a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the divisional round, Stroud cemented his status as a playoff performer, completing 23 of 34 passes for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 31-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, outdueling future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes. His ability to stay calm under pressure—especially in the fourth quarter, when he led a 90-yard game-winning drive—has made him the face of the Texans’ resurgence. “C.J. plays with a maturity beyond his years,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He doesn’t get overwhelmed by the moment, and that’s exactly what you need from a quarterback in the semifinals.” Stroud’s favorite target, wide receiver Nico Collins, will also be a key figure: Collins caught 7 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, and his chemistry with Stroud has become one of the NFL’s most dangerous connections.

Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans isn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball; the team’s defense boasts two players who have been dominant in the playoffs. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who recorded 11 sacks during the regular season, has stepped up in the postseason, tallying 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in two games. In the divisional round, Greenard’s third-quarter sack of Mahomes forced a fumble that the Texans recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, swinging momentum in their favor. Linebacker Christian Harris, meanwhile, has been a tackling machine, leading the Texans with 18 tackles in the playoffs, including 10 in the win over the Chiefs. Harris, a second-year player, has emerged as the heart of the Texans’ defense, using his speed and instincts to shut down both the run and the pass. “Our defense doesn’t get as much attention as our offense, but these guys are just as important,” Ryans said. “Jonathan and Christian have been game-changers, and they’ll need to be at their best against a tough opponent in the semifinals.” The Texans’ defense will face a stiff test in the semifinals against the Baltimore Ravens, who led the NFL in rushing yards per game (156.2) during the regular season.

Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans also includes a special teams standout who has flown under the radar but could prove critical in a close game: kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn. Fairbairn, a 10-year veteran, had one of the best seasons of his career in 2024, converting 32 of 35 field goal attempts (91.4%) and all 42 of his extra-point tries. In the divisional round, he drilled a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter to extend the Texans’ lead, and he’s now made 8 of 9 field goal attempts in his playoff career. For the Houston Texans, Fairbairn’s reliability is a safety net—especially if the semifinals come down to a last-second kick. “Ka’imi is one of the most consistent kickers in the league, and we have full confidence in him,” special teams coordinator Frank Ross said. “In the playoffs, games are often decided by a few points, and having a kicker you can trust is a huge advantage.” Fairbairn’s counterpart on special teams, punt returner Devin Singletary, also adds value: Singletary averaged 11.3 yards per punt return during the regular season, and he’s returned 4 punts for 52 yards in the playoffs, giving the Texans good field position on multiple occasions.

Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans has generated massive excitement among the team’s fanbase, which has flocked to Baltimore to support the Texans in the semifinals. Thousands of Texans fans are expected to attend the game at M&T Bank Stadium, with many traveling by bus or car from Houston to cheer on their team. Local sports bars in Houston have already announced “Semifinal Watch Parties,” with some staying open late to accommodate fans who want to watch the game with fellow supporters. Social media has been flooded with posts from fans using the hashtag #TexansSemifinals, sharing photos of their game-day outfits and expressing confidence in the team’s stars. “I’ve been a Texans fan for 20 years, and this is the most excited I’ve ever been,” said a fan from Katy, Texas, who is traveling to Baltimore for the game. “C.J., Nico, and the rest of the guys have given us something to believe in, and I know they’re going to put on a show.” For the Houston Texans, this fan support is more than just noise—it’s a source of motivation. “Our fans have been with us through thick and thin,” Stroud said. “We want to win this game for them as much as we want to win it for ourselves.”

Semifinals Feature Stars from the Houston Texans is more than just a chance to advance to the Super Bowl—it’s a chance to cement the franchise’s place in NFL history. If the Texans win, they’ll become just the second team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with a rookie quarterback (joining the 1985 Chicago Bears, though Jim McMahon was in his second season). It will also validate the team’s rebuilding effort, which began in 2021 after a 4-13 season. For the stars involved, the semifinals are an opportunity to leave their mark: Stroud could solidify his status as a future franchise quarterback, Collins could establish himself as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, and Greenard and Harris could elevate their profiles as elite defensive players. “This is what we’ve been working for all season,” Ryans said. “Our stars have risen to every challenge so far, and I have no doubt they’ll rise to this one.” For the Houston Texans and their fans, the semifinals are a moment to savor—a chance to watch their team’s brightest stars shine on the biggest stage. Win or lose, this season has already been a success, but the Texans are hungry for more. As Stroud put it: “We didn’t come this far to stop now. We’re here to win, and we’re going to leave everything on the field.”