2. Having a more improved offensive line
It has been no secret since Deshaun Watson has joined the NFL and the Houston Texans that they’ve not been the best as an offensive line. Last season, that began to change as he went from being sacked 62 times in 2018 (his second season) to 44 times in 2019. Some of the sacks were the fault of Watson as he was trying to make a play, but other times the offensive line wasn’t up to the level it needed to be, either.
In 2020, the offensive line is more seasoned with both Tytus Howard and Max Scharping entering their second season, and franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil will be in a full training camp with the Texans.
Sure, there are still questions at other spots in the offensive line, but the two tackle spots seem to be in good hands. If the unit can cut back on the pressure that gets near Watson in 2020, that will be a huge difference maker for the soon-to-be fourth-year starting quarterback.
If Watson is given the proper amount of time in the backfield as his receivers do what is needed to get open, then there will be no way the Texans finish third in the AFC South as that seems to be where they are being predicted.
Deshaun Watson and the Texans should be used to being the underdogs in the offseason, but if the offensive line keeps improving, that will allow for Watson to not be under as much pressure, and he could get rid of the football without being on the run.