Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans avoids the tackle attempt of George Odum #30 of the Indianapolis Colts and Clayton Geathers #26 during the fourth quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans avoids the tackle attempt of George Odum #30 of the Indianapolis Colts and Clayton Geathers #26 during the fourth quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

. 11-5 record. . Houston Texans. 6. team. 10

On one hand, the Houston Texans are separated in our NFL power rankings over the Chargers due to the fact they have a more complete team. DeAndre Hopkins is, perhaps, the best wide receiver in the NFL right now. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is a promising star only on the rise. Running back Lamar Miller made the Pro Bowl despite not rushing for 1,000 yards.

And that defense? Even if it loses defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney to free agency, it’s still potent. After all, Houston boasted the league’s fourth best scoring defense in 2018.

Yet the Texans have one glaring weakness — the offensive line.

Football Outsiders ranked this group 27th in run blocking last year, and it was ranked dead last in pass protection. Houston surrendered a whopping 62 sacks in 2018, which outpaced the next worst amount on the season, the Dolphins, by 10.

That’s bad. Very bad.

In order to protect their high investment in Watson, the Texans need to vastly improve up front. If they do, they’ll be in perfect position to rise in NFL power rankings and, potentially, a deep push towards a Super Bowl.