The Houston Texans are about to kick off their 2018 season and there is much to be excited about. Here are the 3 main headlines every fan will pondering on:
- Can the team remain healthy?
When you have a team loaded with defensive end J.J. Wat, linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney, rookie QB sensation Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on your team, surely you will be reaching the postseason with ease; that is until you run into some injuries. Mercilus (pectoral), Watt (knee), Watson (ACL) and a few other Texans all suffered the injury bug as the fanbase suffered through a grueling season that had the team out of the postseason. It wasn’t the first time injuries affected the team in recent seasons. Watt was also injured in 2016 with a back injury that forced him to miss the remainder of his season after only 3 games. Clowney spent much of his rookie season hurt and even missed the Wild Card game a couple of years ago because he was injured. For a city with one of the best medical centers in the world, the city has seen some impactful injuries to this football team. The whole gang is back now but can they stay that way?
The question really isn’t can the Texans remain healthy – because injuries can happen out of nowhere – but rather what can be expected when they are at full strength. Ideally, the team can have Clowney, Watt and Mercilus on the field at the same time throughout the season. That is a rough task for any offense to deal; but the degree of difficulty does not rise very high if the latter two are still trying to get their game rhythm going. On the offensive side of the ball, Watson will be continuing to develop as a young QB, and could be focusing on tweaking his skillset. Coming off a knee injury, he might not run as much, just to protect himself from injury. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering he has a great arm that will allow him to connect down the field with the deep threat weapons that are Hopkins and Will Fuller.
- The progression of Deshaun Watson
Speaking of Deshaun Watson, his injury cut short a season that was one of the league’s early highlights. Through 8 games, the rookie quarterback performed to a level that provided hope the team had its franchise quarterback. The 1st round pick played only 7 games but went 3-3 as a starter and while throwing for 19 touchdowns. Unfortunately, a knee injury took his season away during practice and he has now returned to continue what was not finished.
The biggest thing to look out for will be his progression as a quarterback. Sure, he has missed a lot of playing time and probably just getting his rhythm physically, but what has he enhanced mentally? Teams have probably studied some of what he has done in those 7 games so it’s important he recognizes what they will throw at him to highlight his struggles. If he can get that down, then he may very well be on his way to having a 2nd year that will undoubtedly outshine his rookie season.
- How equipped is the team against the improved AFC South?
The last time the Texans won their division, they had no choice but to. Infamously led by quarterback Brock Osweiler and his 18 million, it was not a lot of competition for Houston to face. The Jaguars were the Jaguars, while quarterback injuries forced the Colts and Titans to take steps back. Fast forward to the beginning of the 2018 season and things are completely different. The Titans and Jaguars are coming off playoff runs from last season, with the latter boasting one of the best defenses in the league. The Colts have a new head coach and also will be getting quarterback Andrew Luck under back under the center.
The question is can the Texans compete with the heightened level of competition now found in their division? A good start is putting Romeo Crennell back at defensive coordinator, his position in 2016 when the team led the league in defense. A strong defensive unit will have to be the spotlight as Watson continues his development at the quarterback position. It will have to be the safety net for this team for a couple of games while the offense grows more around Watson.
After a disappointing 2017, the Texans will be looking to make 2018 their “next step” year.