On Monday, Texans Wire ran an article on reasons to be negative about the Houston Texans in 2020. Now, here is the counterpoint.
1. The hard part comes early
The first four games for the Texans are brutal. Texans start on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. Then, they take on the Baltimore Ravens at home, go back on the road for a Watt brothers battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then return to NRG Stadium for a showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.
It’s possible the Texans could start 2020 0-for — the question is how long does it persist?
Even if it takes the Texans three games to get off the schneid, after the showdown with Minnesota, the Texans have four more games against three playoff teams from a year ago, and three of those games are at NRG: the Packers, Patriots, and Titans. It ought to be possible for the Texans to catch a winning streak in October and November that would correct their rocky start and put them in position to contend for the AFC South.
2. The offense is more balanced
In 2018, the Texans offense was basically Deshaun Watson scrambling for his life, shaking off pass rushers, and making plays downfield.
In 2019, the Texans rebuilt their offensive line, and it was less about Watson dodging defenders to make big plays. With the acquisition of left tackle Laremy Tunsil and infusion of rookies Max Scharping and Tytus Howard along with center Nick Martin and right guard Zach Fulton, Houston could protect their field general and open up running lanes for Carlos Hyde to have his first 1,000-yard season of his career.
In 2020, Tunsil stays in his prime and the rookies get wiser. Even if no other moves are made along the offensive line, that positive improvement alone is enough to make Houston’s offensive line better than last year’s. Factor in David Johnson as at least a replacement, if not upgrade, for Hyde, and the Texans could have a credible running attack to take the heat off Watson.
3. Deshaun Watson
There is no other way to say it: the man keeps Houston in every ballgame. As has previously been pointed out, from 2014-16, the Texans lost 12 games by two or more scores. Since 2018, with Watson healthy and under center, Houston has lost only three games by two scores or more.
“We’re never out of a game regardless of what the score is,” Watson told reporters after beating the Oakland Raiders 27-24 on Oct. 27, 2019. “We got to play 60 minutes. It’s the NFL, everyone’s good, the swing and momentum changes all the time. The game comes down to the inches and we just wanted it.”
Since 2018, Watson has completed eight fourth quarter comebacks and orchestrated 10 game-winning drives.
4. Bill O’Brien
Fact: no Bill Belichick disciple has been more successful than O’Brien.
Fact: only Hall-of-Famer Tony Dungy has won more AFC South titles than O’Brien (five to four)
The organization is making a bold move themselves by placing all of the personnel power in the hands of their coach; it could be overwhelming. However, O’Brien has produced a winning record in five of his six previous seasons. There is plenty of frustration for Houston NFL fans, who have not seen their hometown team make the AFC Championship Game since the Oilers in 1979. Regardless, the more often the Texans make the postseason, the greater their chances to finally match or surpass that feat. O’Brien is at least getting Houston into the dance.
