There was so much excitement about the way the Houston Texans began the 2012 season, beating their first four opponents by a combined 70 points. They then followed up their first big defeat of the season by dismantling the eventual Super Bowl champions as their season rumbled on behind the stunning play of Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. They stuttered towards the playoff however, losing three of their last four games, surrendering a first-round bye in the process. That led them back to New England in the divisional round of the playoffs where, for the second time in six weeks, they allowed over 40 points and limped out of the playoffs.
While its easy to view the season as a disappointment given how well it started, its given them something to build on this year. While the Texans were limited in what moves they could make in free agency, theyve managed to hold onto the bulk of their starters from 2012 as they gear up for another run at the Super Bowl.
Reasons to be Confident
1. J.J. Watt
Theres no point starting anywhere else, especially considering Watt is coming off arguably the best single season by a defensive player of all time. That might seem like high praise but its warranted in this case, with Watt becoming the first player to break the +100.0 grade barrier in a single season at PFF. There are not really enough superlatives...
2. Andre Johnson
He may not have been the receiver with the surname Johnson to rack up the most receiving yards last season, but Andre Johnson was still our highest-graded player at his position. Thats not surprising, however, when you compare what he did to Calvin Johnson in terms of the opportunities each was afforded in 2012...
3. The Offensive Line (Part One)
While the Texans offensive line as a whole isnt the most dominating in the league, they do boast two of the best players at their positions in Duane Brown and Chris Myers. Though his first two seasons in the league...
4. Watts Defensive Line Teammates
Defensive end Antonio Smith might not be the dominant player that Watt is against the run, though hes certainly not a liability, but hes finished as our second-highest-graded pass rusher at the position in each of the past two years. Meanwhile Earl Mitchell proved...
5. Opposite Andre
Though they have been able to boast an incredible talent in Johnson for much of their existence as a franchise, the Texans have really struggled...
Reasons to be Concerned
1. What are they getting in Ed Reed?
A few years ago a signing like Ed Reed would have been considered a major coup by the Texans. At this stage in his career however, its fair to question what contribution hell actually make...
2. Pressure from the Outside
On the surface it may seem like the Texans will have their work cut out for them to replace outside linebacker Connor Barwin, who left for the Philadelphia Eagles via free agency. In truth, however, Barwins play as a pass rusher didnt live up to his raw numbers over the past two seasons. While they wont miss him and his -32.1 pass rush grade over the past two seasons...
3. The Offensive Line (Part Two)
While they have two elite players in Brown and Myers, the rest of the line leaves a lot to be desired. At left guard, Wade Smith doesnt give you much cause for concern, but then he doesnt...
4. Schaubs Second Half
Like the team on the whole, quarterback Matt Schaub started the year off well, grading positively in seven of the first eight games...
5. Replacing Glover Quin
Looking simply at his grades over the years, it might come as a surprise to see Quin considered much of a loss...
What to Expect
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