NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1
By Peter Panacy
Another well-balanced team, provided they stay healthy, is the Houston Texans, of course.
So much of what happens with Houston this year will center around second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has looked fully recovered from his disastrous ACL injury his rookie season. And we all saw how much that set back the Texans’ efforts a year ago.
With Watson fully healthy, and arguably the league’s best unheralded wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, head coach Bill O’Brien’s offense could finally take shape to the tune many thought it could reach in 2017.
Especially if that offensive line overachieves even a moderate bit.
But the Texans won’t stop from hinging their hopes on the shoulders of the defense either. Defensive end J.J. Watt is back. So is linebacker Whitney Mercilus. Both missed time with serious injuries a year ago (seems to be a trend with the Texans, doesn’t it?).
Houston’s front seven is about as stacked as it gets. And while the secondary has some question marks, especially following a forgettable 2017 campaign from cornerback Kevin Johnson, the Texans pass rush should be able to negate any serious worry there.
And yet Houston still isn’t the best team in the division despite all this.