Despite finishing the 2017 regular season with a 4-12 record, the Texans have a lot to look forward to in 2018. This excitement is mainly based around the fact that elite quarterback Deshaun Watson will be returning from an ACL injury next season. With Watson sparking the offense, and the already solid defense being aided by the returns of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, the Houston Texans could will make playoffs in 2018.
Aforementioned earlier, the main reason that the Texans will make playoffs next season is because Deshaun Watson is returning from injury. After an outstanding five-week run that included 1,472 yards and 18 touchdowns, Watson suffered a torn ACL during practice, just after a Week 8 matchup against the Seahawks.
Reminder: Deshaun Watson only played 7 games this season. pic.twitter.com/wIiEiP4QWk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2018
Just to emphasize the importance of Watson, the Texans had a 3-4 record and averaged 31 points per game when he was playing. Without Watson, the Texans went 1-8 and averaged 14 points per game. This dramatic drop in offensive production, and in turn a terrible stretch for the Texans as a whole, displays just how much of a difference maker Deshaun Watson is.
With Watson healthy next season, the future of the Texans offense looks much brighter, especially since Watson will still be under the tutelage of Bill O’Brien. It has taken over six years for the Texans to find a starting quarterback, but the wait is finally over.

This optimism for the Texans offense is even more bright because tackles Chris Clark and Breno Giacomini will be hitting free agency this offseason. Giacomini is ranked the 85th best tackle in football, and Chris Clark the 80th best.
It will be highly unlikely the Texans get two tackles worse than Giacomini and Clark. They were arguably the worst tackle duo in football, with their Pro Football Grades putting them at the bottom of their positions.

So even if the replacement offensive tackles, either found through the draft or free agency, end up being busts, they could still end up being an improvement from the 2017 season. Overall, the future for the Texans offense looks very bright, with the return of Deshaun Watson and the exits of Breno Giacomini and Chris Clark.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
On top of their offense bound to be rejuvenated next season, the Texans defense looks as if it is ready to dominate as well. This is mainly due to the fact that J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus will return. Both being injured in a Week 5 against the Chiefs, the Texans defense felt the effects of their two elite players hitting the injured reserve.

Before their injuries in Week 5, the Texans averaged 22 points allowed per game. But from Week 5 and on, the Texans averaged 29 points allowed per game. The reason the points allowed shot up is obvious, J.J. Watt is arguably the best defensive end in football, so losing him was a major hit to the defense and the Texans a whole.
Watt is even more popular than Deshaun Watson in Houston at this point in time, and is the team captain, always leading his team onto the field carrying the Texas flag. Losing an icon and leader like Watt is devastating to any team, which is a major reason why the Texans defense played far worse after his injury.

Don’t sleep on Whitney Mercilus either, who is probably one of the best defenders on the Texans. His MO is being an electric edge rusher, garnering 19.5 sacks in the 2015-2016 seasons. Losing Mercilus played a key role in the Texans being ranked 23rd in the NFL with 32.0 total sacks.
With the returns of Mercilus and Watt in 2018, the Texans defense looks ready to wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks, especially with their elite defensive line and linebackers. Their secondary definitely needs some improvement, but at least the rushing defense can start being the elite force that it once was.
somethin special brewin…@deshaunwatson pic.twitter.com/kdTtvJ7A5t
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 3, 2018
On the offensive and defensive side of football, the Texans will have their best players returning from injury, and some of their worst players hitting free agency. This leaves them primed for a playoff run. Even though the 2017 season was a bust, the 2018 season is one Texans fans should be optimistic for.
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Ep. 84: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Ep. 83: Belmont Head Coach Casey Alexander Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
The Scout & The Route: Bengals at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 4:00 am
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
-
The Scout & The Route: 49ers at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 1:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm