The Houston Texans have some expectations in 2023. Maybe not Super Bowl expectations, but expectations nonetheless. 

After several seasons with no direction and seemingly no hope, the Texans now seem to have both. With a franchise quarterback, several new starters, and a new coaching staff, improvement seems almost inevitable. 

However, the metrics are not necessarily expecting big things from Houston in 2023. 

ESPN's Football Power Index recently released its projections for 2023. The Texans are projected to have a record of 6-11. That projection ties the Texans with the Buccaneers for the second-worst projected record in 2023. 

Today, I wanted to examine three reasons why I believe the Texans will eclipse the six win mark. 

The Schedule 

The Texans will have one of the easier schedules in the league this season. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Texans will have the seventh-easiest slate. 

The Texans could benefit from a weak AFC South, as the Colts and Titans are both projected to be near the bottom of the AFC. 

Houston will also face the Buccaneers and Cardinals, who are both projected to be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.

In addition to a weak division schedule and getting to play two of the projected worst teams in the league, the Texans will also play a couple of young QBs. Houston travels to Carolina in Week 8 in a battle of the top QB selections of 2022. 

Assuming the Texans can split AFC South matchups, they would just need to win four additional games to eclipse the win total. 

Improved offense

The Texans are not receiving enough credit for the improvements made on offense. 

Adding Noah Brown, Robert Woods, and Tank Dell to the receiver room, along with the much-anticipated debut of John Metchie III, could give the Texans a much-needed boost. 

Additionally, adding Devin Singletary to the backfield will help take the pressure off of Dameon Pierce. Pierce was solid as a rookie, but Singletary provides a reliable pass-catching option out of the backfield. 

Finally, the team added Dalton Schultz, the talented tight end from the Dallas Cowboys. The team did a fantastic job of adding talented weapons for the young rookie QB Stroud. 

Defensive development

The Texans had an underrated pass defense in 2022. 

The team allowed just over 200 passing yards per game, which was the 10th fewest in the league. And that was with the young Derek Stingley Jr. dealing with injury much of the season. 

In 2023, the team will have a healthy Stingley in addition to Jalen Pitre, who showed flashes of being an elite safety. Solid veterans Steven Nelson and Desmond King II will also return to the fold in 2023. 

The team added former Seahawk and Jaguar Shaquill Griffin as well, further adding solid talent to the secondary. 

One reason the team had an effective pass defense in 2022 is because teams were able to gash Houston on the ground. Luckily, the team took steps to address that need as well, signing Sheldon Rankins and Hassan Ridgeway. 

The veteran run-stuffers will help clog the middle of the Texans' defensive line and force teams to throw more. Stingley and Pitre will then have plenty of opportunities to make plays on the ball. 

Final Thoughts: Due to the Texans' weak schedule, improved offense, and young defenders improving, the team could easily eclipse the projected six wins. I do not expect the team to compete, but I do expect them to be a tought out each week and surprise some teams.