To the surprise of very few, the Houston Texans have been graded the highest by Pro Football Focus among their AFC South counterparts for their 2018 season.
They may have tanked in the postseason against their divisional rivals the Indianapolis Colts, losing 21-7, but their 11-5 record and division title on the year was enough to see them over the line as the division’s best.
The Texans owe a great deal of this record to the six players they had named in PFF’s “Top 101 players from the 2018 NFL season.” DeAndre Hopkins (2), J.J. Watt (19), Jadeveon Clowney (46), Deshaun Watson (77), Kareem Jackson (85), and Benardrick McKinney (94) were all listed. This was more than any of their divisional rivals, with the Colts second with four, Titans third with two, and Jaguars rock bottom yet again with just one.
As well as looking at individuals, their saving grace last year was their solid defense yet again. PFF ranked Romeo Crennel’s defense third in the NFL and top of the AFC South.
Now, all anyone cares about is if the Texans are the best team in the AFC South in 2019, Pro Football Focus grades aside.
