The Houston Texans, at 6-3, are feeling good about their season during their Week 10 bye. Sitting on top of the AFC South with room to move up to a bye in the playoffs, the Texans are, as of now, contenders for the Super Bowl. They can thank five overachievers for accomplishing that notion, including:
1. RB Carlos Hyde
Houston found a treasure in Kansas City’s trash. On Aug. 31, the Chiefs were nearing a release of running back Carlos Hyde. Likewise, the Texans were close to parting ways with guard Martinas Rankin. Naturally, the two struck a deal to swap the players.
Hyde, in Houston, has not played like a player nearing a release, nor has he played like one that has the value of a backup guard. Instead, he is living up to the Pro Bowl expectations set upon him during his time in San Francisco and coming out of Ohio State.
On the season, Hyde has 704 rushing yards (eighth in NFL) and three touchdowns on 149 attempts (10th), good for 4.7 yards per carry. He already has more first-downs (37), yards before contact (343) and yards after contact (361) than he did in 14 games in 2018, per Pro Football Reference.
Hyde is a workhorse back for the Texans offense. For a player once nearing his release, that’s called overachieving.
2. RT Tytus Howard
The Texans needed to draft an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. They wound up choosing the lesser-known Tytus Howard over the likes of Ja’waan Taylor, Greg Little, Cody Ford or Dalton Risner. After months of harsh criticism for the selection, Howard is making doubters eat their words.
Howard — in his six games played — has been a revelation for the Texans’ offensive line at right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed just two pressures in all of his last three starts. His 98% in ESPN’s Pass Block Win Rate sits at No. 2 in the NFL among tackles.
Howard has given Houston their best right tackle play since Derek Newton roamed NRG Stadium. He, alongside Laremy Tunsil, is creating one of the NFL’s best young tackle combinations. Not bad for a little known, 6-5, 322-pound tackle out of Alabama State.
3. DT D.J. Reader
D.J. Reader is taking advantage of his contract year. A big, bludgeoning defensive tackle, the former Clemson Tiger has been a menace in 2019 — which has helped soften the blow of losing Jadeveon Clowney (trade) and J.J. Watt (torn pectoral).
Five weeks into the season, Reader had already surpassed his career-high in sacks (2.5). He has also tied his career-high for pressures in a season with seven, proving that he can make an impact as a pass — a new development. His 90.2 PFF grade is amongst the elite in the NFL.
Reader, since earning a starting role in 2017, has proved to be a high-level run-stuffer in the NFL. In 2019, he has shown more, playing the part of an interior game-changer. Though not an every-down player, Reader’s impact on the Texans is profound.
4. TE Darren Fells
In the offseason, Houston picked up 33-year-old tight end Darren Fells. The thought process behind doing so is that he would be a plus blocker, veteran presence for the team and occasional safety valve catcher. He has blown away all of those expectations.
Not only is Fells Houston’s best blocking tight end, but he also leads the NFL in touchdown receptions for tight ends (six). According to Player Profiler, he also leads the league in red zone receptions (eight). When targeting him, Deshaun Watson has a 139.1 passer rating, second in the NFL.
Fells, who has 24 receptions for 245 yards in addition to the touchdowns, is having a career-year in Houston. Some counted him out completely on making the roster. Now, he is on pace for a potential Pro Bowl season.
5. QB Deshaun Watson
Heading into 2019, most knew what Deshaun Watson could do. A phenom as a rookie and a Pro Bowler in the next season, No. 4 entered the season as a dark horse to win MVP. After nine weeks, he is no longer a dark horse, he is a legitimate candidate in the thick of the race.
By most metrics, Watson is on pace for his best season as a pro. He is drilling passes at a 70/2% clip, has a career-high 107.1 passer rating, has upped his passing touchdown rate from 5.1% to 6.0% (18) and lowered his interception rate from 1.8% to 1.7%. He has done so while throwing for 2,432 yards, rushing for 279 and tallying five touchdowns on the ground.
Watson has elevated his game from a top-10 quarterback to a top-five one. He has a 6-3 record as a starter in 2019, has put up his fair share of highlights and has returned Houston to football relevancy. Maybe that was expected, maybe not. Nonetheless, Watson has delivered.
