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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 18: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson #4 celebrate the winning touchdown by Vyncint Smith #17 in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during a preaseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 18: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson #4 celebrate the winning touchdown by Vyncint Smith #17 in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during a preaseason game at NRG Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Houston Texans. 10. team. 10. .

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.