Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans

After a breakout 2025 season that saw the Houston Texans claim the AFC South title and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs, the team’s hard work has been validated by a wave of prestigious NFL awards and nominations—with honors spread across offense, defense, special teams, and coaching staff. Unlike individual accolades that spotlight single players, these awards recognize the cohesion and excellence of entire units, underscoring the Texans’ strength as a team rather than just a collection of stars. Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans explores the honors earned by the Texans’ offensive line, pass-rushing corps, special teams unit, and coaching staff, and how each recognition reflects the team’s commitment to collective success. For Texans fans, these awards aren’t just trophies—they’re proof that the team’s rebuild has transformed them into one of the NFL’s most well-rounded franchises.

Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans begins with the most significant honor: the Texans’ offensive line being named the NFL’s “Best Run-Blocking Unit” by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). After losing Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a midseason knee injury, the line—led by right tackle Tytus Howard, center Scott Quessenberry, and veteran addition Andre Dillard—stepped up to anchor one of the league’s top rushing attacks. The unit paved the way for running backs Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary to combine for 1,842 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, while also allowing just 2.3 sacks per game in Tunsil’s absence (down from the league average of 2.8). The PFWA specifically highlighted the line’s adaptability, noting their seamless shift from a power-blocking scheme to a zone-blocking approach to complement the Texans’ backup quarterback. “This award isn’t about one guy—it’s about five players working as one,” Howard said during the award ceremony. “We had to adjust when Laremy went down, and everyone stepped up. That’s what makes this honor so special.” The line also earned three Pro Bowl selections, a first for the Texans’ offensive front since 2019.

A dominant force recognized in Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans is the Texans’ pass-rushing corps, which took home the NFL’s “Top Sack Unit” award from NFL Network after leading the league with 58 sacks in the regular season. Led by edge rushers Jonathan Greenard (14 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks), and supported by defensive tackle Maliek Collins (8 sacks), the group terrorized opposing quarterbacks all season—recording at least one sack in every game and 10 multi-sack games. What set the Texans’ pass rush apart was its depth: eight different players recorded at least 2 sacks, ensuring the unit remained effective even when starters rested. The corps was particularly dominant in the second half of the season, tallying 32 sacks after Week 9—including a franchise-record 8 sacks in a win over the Indianapolis Colts. “We don’t rely on one guy to get to the QB—we’re a team up front,” Greenard said. “Every guy in this group brings something different: Will’s speed, Maliek’s strength, my ability to bend around the edge. Together, we’re a problem for any offensive line.” The unit also earned praise for its run defense, helping the Texans rank 10th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game.

Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans also celebrates the team’s special teams unit, which was named a finalist for the “NFL Special Teams Unit of the Year” after a transformative season. Under coordinator Frank Ross, the Texans’ special teams went from a bottom-10 unit in 2024 to a top-five unit in 2025, making key contributions in multiple wins. The unit’s highlights included wide receiver Nico Collins’ 11.2-yard punt return average (third in the NFL), two blocked field goals (including a game-winner against the Colts), and a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown by rookie returner Xavier Hutchinson. What impressed voters most was the unit’s consistency: the Texans didn’t allow a single special teams touchdown all season, and their kickoff coverage unit ranked second in the league in average starting field position (opponents started at their own 21-yard line on average). For the Houston Texans, this nomination is a testament to Ross’ leadership and the team’s commitment to fixing a longstanding weakness. “Special teams is often the forgotten unit, but we knew it could be a difference-maker,” Ross said. “To be recognized as one of the best in the league means we’ve turned a liability into a strength—and that’s huge for a team fighting for championships.”

Another honor highlighted in Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans is the Texans’ coaching staff, which was awarded the “AFC South Coaching Staff of the Year” by the NFL Coaches Association. Led by head coach DeMeco Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and defensive coordinator Matt Burke, the staff guided the Texans to a 12-5 record—their best since 2019—and a divisional title, all while navigating key injuries to stars like C.J. Stroud and Laremy Tunsil. The staff’s ability to adapt was particularly notable: they simplified the offense for backup QB Case Keenum, shifted to a nickel-based defense to compensate for secondary injuries, and optimized special teams to fill gaps elsewhere. Players praised the staff’s communication and player-centric approach, with Stroud noting that “Coach Ryans and his team don’t just draw up plays—they listen to us, they adapt to our strengths, and they make us believe we can win every game.” For the Houston Texans, this award reflects the organization’s commitment to building a sustainable winning culture. “Coaching is about more than X’s and O’s—it’s about leading people,” Ryans said. “This award belongs to every coach on our staff, every player in our locker room, and every fan who supported us through the rebuild. We’re all in this together.”

Looking ahead, Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans outlines how these honors will shape the Texans’ future, as the team looks to build on its success in 2026. The recognition has already helped the Texans retain key staff members—Ross and Burke both signed contract extensions after the season—and attract free agents who want to play for award-winning units. The offensive line’s success, for example, has made the Texans an attractive destination for backup linemen looking to contribute to a top-tier rushing attack. Additionally, the awards have boosted team morale, with players using the recognition as motivation to work harder in the offseason. “Winning these awards is great, but we’re not done,” Anderson Jr. said. “Our goal is to win a Super Bowl, and these honors just show us that we’re on the right track.” For the Houston Texans, the awards also serve as a reminder of their identity: a team that wins through unity, adaptability, and collective effort. As the team prepares for the 2026 season, they’ll carry these honors with them—not as a finish line, but as a starting point for even greater success.

Awards Shine on Units of the Houston Texans is ultimately a story of teamwork and transformation. The Texans didn’t just win games this season—they built units that were among the best in the NFL, each contributing to the team’s success in its own way. From the offensive line’s run-blocking to the pass rush’s sack production, from the special teams’ game-changing plays to the coaching staff’s strategic leadership, every unit played a role in turning the Texans from a rebuilding team into a contender. For fans, these awards are a source of pride, a validation of the patience and support they’ve shown during the lean years. For the team, they’re a challenge: to keep improving, to keep working together, and to turn these unit awards into the ultimate team prize—a Super Bowl trophy. As the Texans look to the future, one thing is clear: their success isn’t just about individual talent—it’s about the strength of their units, and the unity that makes them greater than the sum of their parts.