Following their remarkable turnaround in the 2023 season, the Houston Texans are geared up to defend their AFC South title and make a statement in the upcoming 2024 NFL season. Under the leadership of rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans experienced a dramatic improvement, going from a 3-13-1 record to clinching the division and securing their first playoff victory in four years.

As the team enters the new season, they are well aware that they can no longer fly under the radar. The Texans' unexpected success has elevated expectations, and they are up for the challenge. Second-year receiver Tank Dell expressed the team's readiness, stating, "We're all excited. We know we have a target on our back. We got a lot of things we want to accomplish: Super Bowl, playoffs, things like that. So we're ready to go work."

Houston will be strengthened by the return of key players who played crucial roles in their impressive run last year. C.J. Stroud, the Offensive Rookie of the Year, will continue to lead the team's offense alongside standout players like Will Anderson Jr., Nico Collins, and Derek Stingley Jr. Additionally, the Texans have bolstered their roster with notable offseason acquisitions such as Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Joe Mixon, signaling the team's determination to seize the moment.

Despite their success, the Texans still have hurdles to overcome, particularly against the top contenders in the conference. Their Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens exposed their need to prove themselves against the strongest teams in the AFC. However, the Texans have already made some enemies within the AFC South after snatching the division title from the Indianapolis Colts in a thrilling final weekend showdown.

This offseason has been marked by sparring words between C.J. Stroud and members of the Colts, indicating the intensity of the burgeoning rivalry. The Texans also have a score to settle with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who failed to maintain their division dominance in the previous season. The longstanding animosity between Houston and the Tennessee Titans, formerly the Houston Oilers, further adds to the competitive atmosphere within the division.

Reflecting their newfound status in the AFC South and the NFL, the Texans have secured a prominent place in the league's prime-time schedule. With four prime-time games and two standalone contests, including matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, Houston's presence will be hard to ignore. In comparison, their division rivals have a combined four standalone games, excluding the Jacksonville Jaguars' annual trips to London.

As for Tank Dell, who is recovering from a gunshot wound suffered in April but has been actively participating in Houston's offseason workouts, he shares his team's high expectations. In his rookie season, Dell showcased his talent with 709 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 47 receptions, despite playing in a shortened campaign due to a fractured fibula. Now fully healed, Dell believes he has improved and is familiar with the playbook, serving as a valuable asset to the Texans.

The question remains whether Dell and the Texans are ready to transition from being the hunters to becoming the hunted. With their sights set on defending their division title and overcoming the challenges of the playoffs, Houston aims to solidify their status as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC South and the NFL.