Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 24: Head coach Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans during a NFL preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 24: Head coach Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans during a NFL preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Houston Texans. 13. team. 10. .

The loss of running back Lamar Miller to a season-ending ACL tear stinks for the Texans. Miller, too, of course. He was expected to be a big piece of head coach Bill O’Brien’s offense in 2019.

It will be interesting to see whether or not picking up former Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson will be enough, or if the Texans can merely get by with an average running game regardless what Johnson does. Same with running back Carlos Hyde, whom the Texans recently acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Either way, Houston’s offense is going to continue centering around quarterback Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t seen a ton of field time this preseason.

Considering how shoddy the Texans offensive line was last year — and it still boasts a number of holes — that shouldn’t be too big a surprise. Hopefully the O-line can hold up well enough here, because Houston’s season is banking on it, explaining why it gave up a lot to acquire former Dolphins tackle and former first-round NFL Draft pick, Laremy Tunsil:

The Texans still have a good shot to contend within the division, especially with the Colts’ sudden NFL power rankings fall. But it might not be an easy path.

Oh, and Jadeveon Clowney. That sure got weird in a hurry, didn’t it?