Texans lose playoff hopes without Deshaun Watson

The Houston Texans have no choice. With the freakish torn ACL of Deshaun Watson in a non-contact practice on Thursday, Houston is suddenly without its superstar rookie quarterback for the remainder of the season. In steps Tom Savage, who was originally named the starter before Week 1, only to be benched after a single half of football.

At 3-4, the Texans were already uncertain of making it into the postseason. Houston has been very exciting since Watson took over, with the youngster throwing for 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. With Watson at the controls, DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller took off, combing for 14 touchdowns. With Savage going back into the lineup, it’s tough to see the offense thriving in any comparable form.

Normally, that would mean that the Houston defense has to pick up the slack, something it has been doing for years. Instead, the Texans don’t even have that with J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus both out for the season with a knee and pectoral injuries, respectively. While Jadeveon Clowney remains one of the league’s better defensive players, he has little help around him.

All of this adds up to a Houston team that is in real trouble despite playing in the AFC South. Yes, the Texans are only a game behind the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, who both lead the division at 4-3. Still, Houston has already lost at home to the Jaguars and while it clobbered the Titans, it will have to play the rematch in Nashville. Additionally, both Tennessee and Jacksonville have easier schedules and better health going forward.

The only real hope is that somehow, some way, Savage keeps the offense humming, doing just enough to keep the defensive issues in the background. However, even Savage knows that won’t be easy. Per ESPN:

“You can’t really replace Deshaun Watson,” Savage said. “You know what I mean? The kid’s been playing absolutely lights out. But that’s not my job. My job is to go out there and help this team win and do whatever I can to help.”

“I’m just going to state the obvious: There’s some things he can do that I can’t do.”

This weekend, the Texans have the benefit of welcoming in the putrid Indianapolis Colts, who at 2-6 are taking up the rear of the AFC South. Even Savage should be able to torch the Colts, who have one of the league’s worst rosters, especially on the defensive side.

After that, things get tougher. There are contests with the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the aforementioned rematches with the Titans and Jaguars.

Houston is up against it without Watson, something that is a bummer for both the Texans and all NFL fans.