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5 Houston Texans mid-season surprises from 2018 season

By Stephen Forsha

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 21: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans reacts to a call during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 21, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 21: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans reacts to a call during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 21, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 25: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans tackles Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins for a loss in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 25: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans tackles Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins for a loss in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

5. The return of the ‘old’ J.J. Watt

To be honest, entering the 2018 season, it was tough to tell which J.J. Watt was going to be on the field this season. Was the Watt we all have come to respect and marvel over return to the gridiron following two straight years of battling injuries, or would injuries continue to hamper a great career for a third straight season?

As for the first half of the season, Watt has battled strong, played at a high level and has returned to the group of top defensive ends in the entire NFL. What has been surprising about Watt isn’t that he’s healthy because the past two years have been unlucky. No, the surprise is just how Watt has looked on the field all season long. Watt does not look anything like a player who missed all but eight games the past two seasons, but he’s starting to look like a player who is going to be in many discussions for postseason awards.

Watt has nine sacks and 11 tackles for a loss this season. To be honest, that level of numbers after nine games is a surprise, but one that can occur every year. Watt is seemingly back to his old self, and that not only brings a surprise, but a high excitement level too.

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