NFL: New York Giants at Houston Texans
Sep 23, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) reacts after a touchdown by the New York Giants during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Home » Blog » Texans find themselves in unfamiliar role as AFC South underdog

Texans find themselves in unfamiliar role as AFC South underdog

Matt Verderame NFL

For the last few years, the Houston Texans have been the lead dog in the AFC South. Not anymore.

Houston was going to be the favorite as long as the Indianapolis Colts were bumbling along with Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano as the power duo. Then it was Andrew Luck’s bum shoulder, and all roads were clear for the Texans to roll. Certainly the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t going to provide much resistance, save one historical showing from the latter’s defense.

Now, though, things are different. The Titans and Jaguars are still seen as teams fighting for third place in the AFC South, but the Colts have emerged. This week, NBC’s Peter King put Indianapolis third in his power rankings, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots, respectively. King’s opinion is representative of the NFL community as a whole, which believes the Colts are perhaps primed to contend in the AFC with the aforementioned powers.

Houston? Not so much. The Texans were able to win the division in 2018 with an 11-5 record, clawing back from an 0-3 hole. However, Houston was beaten soundly in NRG Stadium by the Colts in the AFC Wild Card round, scoring only a single touchdown in defeat.

In the offseason, General Manager Brian Gaine did little to improve the club. The Texans desperately needed to fix up their offensive line after giving up a league-worst 62 sacks, but ended up banking on a pair of rookies in Tytus Howard and Max Scharping. The plan could work, but even if Howard and Scharping end up being terrific, they’re likely to endure some early-season struggles.

Defensively, the unit is getting creaky up front. J.J. Watt is still a force, but back and knee injuries are a concern. Jadeveon Clowney is on the franchise tag, and while his play has improved annually, he’s yet to top 10 sacks in a season. The secondary swapped out Kareem Jackson for Bradley Roby, while signing Tashaun Gipson to replace Tyrann Mathieu. In short, it’s hard to see the defense being the elite group it once was.

Does this mean Houston should be dismissed in the AFC South? Absolutely not. A roster with Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Whitney Mercilus, Watt and Clowney is going to be heard from. Still, the Texans didn’t do much to improve a team that was bounced easily in the first round of the playoffs… by the team many believe has the upper hand on them coming into 2019.

Houston could be a force, but it will have to do so from an unfamiliar position.

  • 100%