Houston Texans: Five thoughts following first win

Sep 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) shakes hands with Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans finally got in the win column with their Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By moving to 1-2 on the year, Houston is now tied for first place in the AFC South.

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Yes, you read that right. All four teams in the AFC South now sit at 1-2 as the Jaguars lost to New England and Indianapolis topped Tennessee this weekend.

Following the 19-9 win by Houston, here are my five thoughts from this weekend;

1. The AFC South is really, really bad. Jacksonville was absolutely hammered by New England this weekend by a score of 51-17. New England quarterback Tom Brady gouged them for 358 yards passing and two touchdowns. Their running back LeGarrette Blount added 78 yards and there scores on the ground.

The Indianapolis Colts continue to show why you don’t ignore defensive and offensive line year after year in free agency and the draft.

Instead of targeting actual help, they brought in over-the-hill players like running back Frank Gore and receiver Andre Johnson. Gore finally had a decent game Sunday but was an absolute non-factor the first two weeks of the season.

Indy keeps trying to fit a square peg in a round hole by plugging a power back like Gore behind a finesse offensive line. It hasn’t worked, and never will. As for Johnson, his season has been poor so far and got worse Sunday as he was held without a reception.

Five catches from their first round pick three weeks in has to make the team wonder why general manager Ryan Grigson went for yet another undersized receiver when that was the strength of their team. They needed line help on both sides and he ignored it. That move may lead him and head coach Chuck Pagano to the unemployment line next season.

Houston may actually have the most upside of any of these teams because their defense has played very well and quarterback Ryan Mallett has the skill to score points. The receivers have dropped a lot of his passes, so as time passes the offense should get better as they get on the same page.

To top things off, Houston has running back Arian Foster getting ready to return shortly, which will give the entire team a shot in the arm. The Texans are in a good spot despite a slow start to the year.

Next: Second and third thoughts following Week 3