We’ll find out soon if Texans are for real
They spent time with family and friends. They took a couple of days to rest and relax. They finally got a breather.
Now things are about to get more challenging.
The week off came a great time for the Texans, who made it through the first nine games of the season with some bumps and bruises, some quality wins and disappointing losses, some unfortunate injuries and a productive trip to London.
They’ll head to Baltimore to face superstar and NFL darling Lamar Jackson, then host the Colts four days later. The following week, they’ll host the mighty Patriots — a team that has owned the Texans.
The Texans have done a lot of
things well this season.
Deshaun Watson has continued to grow into one of the top quarterbacks in the league. His favorite targets — DeAndre Hopkins and Kenny Stills — have been consistent and tough for opposing defenses to deal with. Will Fuller, who has enjoyed breakout performances this season, returned to practice Monday after missing two games with a strained hamstring.
Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde have elevated the run game and the offensive line has shown vast improvement.
Defensively, the Texans have been one of the best teams at stopping the run. They are allowing 84.1 rushing yards per outing, which ranks third in the league.
The Texans do still have to figure out how to replace J.J. Watt, who is out for the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 8. Watt had four sacks and led the league in quarterback hits when he was injured. Whitney Mercilus is the next best pass rusher the Texans have and he will have his hands full in the next few weeks.
The Texans’ three losses are by a combined 11 points and they do actually look like a team that could make a little noise in the postseason.
The next three weeks will determine if that is true or not.
They were on a high entering the open date, winning two straight over the Raiders and Jaguars.
Now that they’ve rested and had a little time to heal nagging injuries, the Texans have to find a way to carry over their winning ways into a tough stretch.
Baltimore (7-2) won’t make that easy.
Everyone is high on Jackson right now for a reason. On Sunday, he posted his second perfect passer rating of the season. Jackson went 15 for 17 for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 65 rushing yards and another TD on seven carries in the Ravens’ 49-13 win over the Bengals.
He joins Watson in the club of young, thrilling quarterbacks who are taking over the NFL.
Jackson is tough to beat, so if the Texans do that on the road, it will make a big statement.
They have a quick turnaround in hosting the Colts the following Thursday.
The Texans have lost the last three to the Colts — most recently in Week 7 when they fell 30-23 in Indianapolis.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is nursing an injured knee but will likely be back before the Colts travel to Houston. In the Colts’ win earlier this season, Brissett threw for a career-high four touchdown passes. If he can’t go, the backup is Brian Hoyer.
The following week, the Texans host the Patriots. The reigning Super Bowl champs are 10-1 against the Texans and 8-1 overall this season.
The Patriots boast one of the greatest coaches, one of the greatest quarterbacks and a system and tradition that can intimidate anyone.
A win over the Patriots would make a statement that the Texans truly are a team that can contend.
If the Texans can take care of business and come away with two or three wins in this stretch, they will be in great position in the final few weeks of the season.
It all starts Sunday in Baltimore.