2018 Record - 11-5-0
Head Coach - Bill O' Brien
Newcomers for 2019 - A.J. McCarron (QB), Briean Body-Calhoun (DB), Tashaun Gipson (DB), Bradley Roby (DB), Darren Fells (TE), Matt Kalil (OL)
Keys on Offense - Deshaun Watson is the quarterback and he passed for 4,165 yards a year ago with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions while also rushing for five touchdowns and gaining 552 yards for a 5.6 ypc average. He was also sacked 62 times.
Three very able wide receivers for the Texans include All Pro DeAndre Hopkins (115 receptions for 1,572 yards with eleven touchdowns), Will Fuller (32, 503, four TD) and Keke Coutee, who had 28 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown. Tight End Jordan Thomas made 20 grabs for 215 yards with four touchdowns.
Lamar Miller is the main running back and he gained 973 yards (4.6 ypc) and scored five touchdowns. He also had 25 receptions, including one for a score.
Keys on Defense - There is talent abound up front for this unit as Defensive End J.J. Watt (16 QB sacks) and linebackers Jadeveon Clowney (nine sacks) and Whitney Mercilus (four sacks) lead the way.
In the secondary, cornerback Johnathan Joseph (two interceptions) and safety Justin Reid (three picks, one for a TD) are back in the fold along with Bradley Roby and newcomers Tashaun Gipson (safety with Jacksonville in 2018) and rookie pick Lonnie Johnson (Kentucky). The Texans ranked 12th overall in defense (343 ypg allowed) while posting third against the run (82.7 ypg allowed) but 28th against the pass as they allowed 260.4 yards per game. They also registered 43 sacks and intercepted 15 passes.
OUTLOOK - After finishing 11-5 a year ago, but then exiting in the wild card round against Indianapolis in the playoffs, the Texans were left scratching their heads. It was the third playoff appearance in four years for Head Coach Bill O' Brien and his team, but they feel they can go further.
A lot will hinge on whether the Texans can get it rolling once January arrives, however that is no guarantee this season. Houston faces a very tough schedule and the Indianapolis Colts are their main nemesis in the AFC South. The offense was decent last season, averaging 25 points per game and the defense gave up just 19.8 points per game (4th in NFL) to give them the division crown.
The offensive line for the Texans, which drafted two rookies with their first three picks, needs to improve for sure as QB Desahun Watson was sacked 62 times last year. If this team wants to get back to the playoffs, that number must drop significantly. The running game is in good hands with Miller, but a decent compliment other than Watson running the ball would be a huge plus.
The defense is solid in the front seven, but the secondary was torched too often in 2018 and they also lost Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu to free agency. It's tough to run on Houston, but opponents showed they can pass all day against them.
Another division title is possible, but a lot has to click and keeping wideouts Fuller and Coutee healthy is a must. The Texans will likely finish 9-7 this season, which means they could be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New Orleans
Week 2 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 3 - at LA Chargers
Week 4 - vs. Carolina
Week 5 - vs. Atlanta
Week 6 - at Kansas City
Week 7 - at Indianapolis
Week 8 - vs. Oakland
Week 9 - at Jacksonville (in London)
Week 10 - BYE
Week 11 - at Baltimore
Week 12 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 13 - vs. New England
Week 14 - vs. Denver
Week 15 - at Tennessee
Week 16 - at Tampa Bay
Week 17 - vs. Tennessee
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