Three-game stretch a big test
Ravens on road, then home matchups against Colts and Patriots will show if team is Super Bowl material
The next three games should give us an indication of how good the Texans are and how far they can go in the playoffs, assuming they reach the postseason for the fourth time in Bill O’Brien’s six seasons as coach.
The Texans are 6-3 and leading Indianapolis by one-half game in the AFC South. They’ve won back-to-back games and four of five. When they return from their open date, they’ll prepare for the most treacherous stretch of the season.
After playing at Baltimore, the Texans return to NRG Stadium for two nationally televised prime-time games. First, there’s a Thursday night AFC South confrontation with Indianapolis. Then, 10 days later, they’ll play a Sunday night game against New England.
The Ravens (6-2), Colts (5-3) and Patriots (8-1) have a combined record of 19-6. Baltimore and New England are in first place. After Indianapolis plays Miami on Sunday, the Colts should be tied for first place with the Texans.
Even the Texans’ most devoted fans don’t expect them to win the next three games. Taking two out of three would go a long way toward helping Houston earn a first-round bye in the playoffs for the first time. The Texans had a great opportunity at the end of the 2018 season, but the defense blew it at Philadelphia.
“It tests you, and the later you get in a season, the more tests you have,” cornerback Johnathan Joseph said about the schedule. “When it gets into November and December, you’re a more battle-tested team.”
When this three-game stretch is over, the Texans will be a battle-tested team after playing against quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Jacoby Brissett and Tom Brady.
“Everybody has aspirations of making the playoffs, and the more games you play against players like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes and the others we’ve faced and will face, it helps,” Joseph said.
The Texans have beaten two teams that currently have winning records — Kansas City (6-3) and Oakland (5-4). They lost three close games to teams with winning records — New Orleans (7-1) by three, Carolina (5-3) by six and Indianapolis (5-3) by seven.
With seven games remaining, fans have questions that can’t be answered now. They want to know if the Texans can win the division, if O’Brien can win his second game in the playoffs and possibly even a third. Then, they want to know if this team is capable of reaching Super Bowl LIV and even winning it.
Only time can answer those questions, but there are some things we know about this team, beginning with the offense.
Deshaun Watson is playing superbly for an offense that’s third (397.6 yards). He’s got a balanced attack featuring the NFL’s fifth-best rushing team (142.8 yards) and a plethora of talented wide receivers and tight ends led by DeAndre Hopkins
(68 catches) and Darren Fells (six touchdowns).
Most important, Watson’s starting line will be intact for only the fourth time this season. The Texans are 3-0 with the five starters coach Mike Devlin wants on the field.
The defense allows 21.2 points and is 20th (361.4 yards), including 27th against the pass (277.3). It’s amazing the Texans have gone 3-1 over their last four games with a secondary that was decimated by injuries. The good news is that Bradley Roby, Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Tashaun Gipson should return for the Ravens.
Barring setbacks or new injuries in practice, the Texans should be in their best shape physically since early in the season.
“The season’s all about peaking at the right time,” Roby said.
In 2015, his second year with Denver, Roby played a role in the Broncos’ 24-10 victory over Carolina in Super Bowl LIV. He knows what it takes to earn a Super Bowl ring.
“Having won a championship, I think the way this season’s played out, it’s helped us to test our depth and to keep winning through all that,” he said.
Roby was asked a loaded question: Are the Texans capable of winning a Super Bowl? No prediction, but considering the talent, coaching and the way the team is playing, are they capable?
“Definitely capable,” he said. “That’s our goal. We’re not going to act like that’s not our goal.
“By being on a team that won one, I’ve had a lot of time to be on the outside looking in here (because of his hamstring injury). I think we have it here, as well. It’s all about playing well at the right time, getting everybody healthy, and the offense and defense complementing each other.”
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph is playing in his 14th season. He’s played against a lot of Super
Bowl teams. He agrees with Roby that the Texans are capable.
“I’d say for sure, but that doesn’t get it done,” Joseph said. “Us having hopes and dreams doesn’t get it done. Us being in first place now or winning the division doesn’t get it done.
“It starts with the bye week and everybody taking care of their bodies and coming back smart without any mishaps and coming back focused and staying focused and taking each game one at a time.”
Nobody needs to say it, but the truth is the Texans will go as far as Watson can take them.
He’s been a magician, pulling rabbits out of his hat, so to speak, making the crowd gasp in awe of his artistry.
Watson was asked last week what he’s learned about his team nine games into the season.
“Group of guys that care about one another, (a group) that’s going to play 60 minutes and do whatever it takes to win that game,” he said.
The decisive victory over Jacksonville in London followed by the open date have helped boost the team’s confidence entering the most dangerous stretch of the season.
“Not so much confidence (because) we always have confidence, but I guess you can say the momentum,” Watson said. “Just being able to come into this week with a little motivation and a different type of energy. I think that's the biggest thing.
“We have a lot more football to play and a lot of tough, challenging games (and) we’re going to be ready.”
Players on both sides of the ball and special teams believe as long as Watson has the ball, they’re never out of a game, and as long as he’s healthy, they’re capable of beating any team.
This upcoming three-game stretch is the ideal time to prove it.