Strong finish a possibility
With Watson playing aswell as he is, this team is capable of pulling off upsets, especially at NRG
No matter how the Texans play over their last five games, they will look back with regret at what might have been and cringe when they think about games they could have won at Tennessee and Cleveland.
Losing 42-36 in overtime to the Titans when they allowed two late touchdown drives and failing to score from the Browns’ 2-yard line in a 10-7 defeat is the difference between a 6-5 record and their current 4-7 plight.
The Texans can’t change what’s happened, of course, but they can use it to their advantage if they get in similar situations while trying to finish strong and make good impressions on the next general manager and head coach.
Considering the greatness of quarterback Deshaun Watson over the last nine games, the Texans appear capable of beating just about any team, especially at NRG Stadium. Their next game is at home against Indianapolis, tied with Tennessee for first place in the AFC South going into their Sunday game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Watson has ignited the Texans to back-to-back victories over New England (27-20) and Detroit (41-25) that have given the Texans a lot of confidence and a measure of respect around the league.
“It’s huge,” Watson said after the Detroit game. “We’ve got to keep that momentum (and) energy going. We’ve got to make sure we remember these moments after a win because it feels really, really good.
“We don’t want to feel that losing atmosphere in the locker room. We want to keep being positive, keep stacking (victories).”
The Patriots and Lions have losing records. If the Texans want to shock and awe the NFL, they can start by pulling an upset in their next game over the Colts.
Is that possible? It is if Watson continues to excel. In his last nine games, Watson has averaged 297 yards. He has thrown 22 touchdown passes and three interceptions. His rating is 118.4.
Watson has gone six consecutive games without an interception. He’s averaged 292 yards and has 15 touchdown passes during that stretch.
Watson’s 150.4 rating and his 12.72-yard average per attempt against the Lions were the thirdbest of his career.
If Watson continues to play at an elite level behind an offensive line that’s improved the pass protection, the Texans are capable of beating Indianapolis.
The last time the Colts swept the Texans was 2017 when Watson didn’t play against them after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Before that, it was 2014, Bill O’Brien’s first season.
But the Texans haven’t faced a defense like the Colts since they lost 28-21 at Pittsburgh in the third game of the season. Indianapolis is second in defense, including third against the run and tied for fourth against the pass.
Owner Cal McNair and interim coach Romeo Crennel have made it clear they want to win as many games as possible. The Texans have no reason to lose because their first- and second-round draft choices belong to Miami. They have eight selections but won’t make their first pick until the third round.
The Texans’ losing record is a byproduct of their schedule. Teams defeating them have a combined record of 50-20. Pittsburgh (10-0), Kansas City (9-1), Tennessee (7-3) and Green Bay (7-3) are in first place in their divisions.
The only team with a losing record to beat the Texans is Minnesota at NRG Stadium. That defeat gave them an 0-4 start and caused McNair to fire O’Brien as head coach/general manager and replace him with Crennel.
Since Crennel took over, the Texans are 4-3, including those tough losses at Tennessee and Cleveland. They are 3-1 since their open date. In those three victories, they average 32 points a game.
“It’s a different energy,” Watson said. “Guys (are) focusing on their job and controlling (what) they can control. We’re taking care of the details and putting games away when we need to.”
Bill Parcells used to say you are what your record says you are. Watson believes the Texans are better than their record indicates.
“Most definitely we feel that way,” he said. “I know a lot of teams that prep for us feel that way, too. They’ve got to respect us. They’ve got to respect both sides (of the ball) and special teams.
“We don’t even look at the record. We’re going into each game with an 0-0 mindset and give it our all.”
After they play Indianapolis, the Texans travel to Chicago, where they could get hazardous conditions at Soldier Field similar to what they experienced at Cleveland. The Bears are 5-5, and they boast the NFL’s worst running game. Mitchell Trubisky has replaced Nick Foles as their starting quarterback.
After playing the Bears, the Texans play the rematch at Indianapolis before closing the season with home games against Cincinnati and Tennessee. They should defeat the Bengals, and since they came so close to winning in Nashville, they’re capable of beating the Titans.
The Texans get some down time after their Thanksgiving victory. Then they’ll tangle with the Colts, see what happens and get ready for the Bears.
“You’re going to get our best shot,” Watson said. “We’re going to play 60 minutes and do whatever we can to win the game. We’re going to scratch and claw -whatever it takes.”
Having a winning record after the 0-4 start was one of Crennel’s goals when McNair elevated him from associate head coach.
“The opportunity came along, and I decided to take the job,” he said. “I did it for the players because I’ve been with most of them for (seven) years. I know sometimes with a coaching change what can happen with a team. I didn’t want that to happen to this team.
“The guys respect me. They work for me. They listen. They do a good job. We were able to win a couple games, and nowwe have the next month of the season to try to show more about who we are, howhard we play and how tough we are.”