The Houston Texans secured their second straight AFC South title in 2024. The postseason berth for DeMeco Ryans’ squad netted a quartet of late-season honors Thursday.

Four Houston players were selected for the 2025 Pro Bowl roster from the AFC. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was the lone Texans’ defender to earn a nod, while running back Joe Mixon, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Nico Collins were added on the offensive side.

Houston could sprint through the AFC playoffs next month en route to a surprise Super Bowl appearance in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Otherwise, expect the aforementioned foursome to prove their mettle in Orlando during the annual Pro Bowl festivities on Jan. 30 and Feb. 2.

None of Houston’s four Pro Bowl selections are necessarily surprises considering prior performance in 2023. But one Houston absence from the Pro Bowl marks a disappointing step back in 2024. Quarterback C.J. Stroud sprinted to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, then shined at the Pro Bowl before earning plenty of preseason MVP buzz. Houston’s signal caller is yet to match that hype in his sophomore professional season.

Stroud will finish 2024 with fewer touchdowns and passing yards than in 2023. He’s tossed just seven touchdowns compared to seven interceptions across his last eight games, and he struggled through bouts of unusual inaccuracy during last week’s 31-2 Christmas Day loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Houston’s QB is still talented enough to play among the NFL’s best, but the lack of consistency this season is the real concern. Which version of Stroud appears in January will likely swing Houston’s season, with either an exciting winter run or a dispiriting early exit now on the immediate horizon.

Stroud and the Texans have one more regular-season game remaining before the postseason begins. Houston will travel to Nashville for a match-up against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and then host a wild-card round game at NRG Stadium on either Jan. 11, 12 or 13.