2017 Record - 4-12-0
Head Coach - Bill O' Brien
2017 Offensive Ranking - 20th (320 ypg, 21.1 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 20th (347 ypg, 27.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - The key to the Texans offense is quarterback Deshaun Watson, who missed a good portion of his rookie season due to a knee injury. Watson threw for 1,699 yards with 19 touchdown passes and eight interceptions while also averaging 7.5 yards per rush, which included two touchdowns.
The running game features veteran Lamar Miller (888 rushing yards) and D'Onta Foreman, who gained 327 yards last season. The wide receivers are DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, Hopkins had 96 receptions last year, good for 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns. Fuller had 28 receptions, including seven touchdown grabs in an injury shortened season. The tight end is Ryan Griffin.
DEFENSE - J.J. Watt has missed more than 20 games the last two seasons with leg and back injuries and the Texans absolutely need him to be healthy and get back to form on the defensive front. Watt has been the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times and if he can get back to what he does best, it will be a huge boost to the defense. Along with Watt, Houston has linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (9 1/2 QB sacks) and defensive backs Jonathan Joseph (two interceptions), Andre Hal (three picks) and the "Honey Badger" Tyrann Mathieu, who had two interceptions last season and comes over from Arizona as a free agent. Rookie first round pick Justin Reid (Stanford) will look to make an impact at safety.
OUTLOOK - If Houston wants to get back into the mix for the AFC South division title, it's imperative that Watson stays healthy. He is a dual threat with his passing and running abilities that had confounded opposing defenses until his season ending injury.
The running game has to be consistent and other than Hopkins, the Texans need more from their wideouts.
The defense is pretty solid when Watt is in there, but without him it's a completely different story. The Texans allowed a league worst 436 points last season while allowing 237 yards passing and had just 32 sacks.
Head Coach Bill O' Brien could be on the hot seat if the team doesn't get back into contention for the division crown after last year's 4-12 debacle. A tough schedule with two road games against New England and Tennessee will put pressure on the team right out of the gate.
If the team can get good performances from their star players (Watson and Watt) on offense and defense, the Texans can compete for the division title and possibly get back to the playoffs. The likely finish this season is 7-9 unless a lot of things break the Texans' way.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New England
Week 2 - at Tennessee
Week 3- vs. NY Giants
Week 4 - at Indianapolis
Week 5 - vs. Dallas
Week 6 - vs. Buffalo
Week 7 - at Jacksonville
Week 8 - vs. Miami
Week 9 - at Denver
Week 10 - Bye
Week 11 - at Washington
Week 12 - vs. Tennessee
Week 13 - vs. Cleveland
Week 14 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 15 - at NY Jets
Week 16 - at Philadelphia
Week 17 - vs. Jacksonville
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