What are the Texans 3 Toughest Matchups This Season?
By Evan Mead
What Are the Three Toughest Matchups Ahead for the Texans?
The Houston Texans are going to be in for a tough year. When looking at some of the matchups ahead for them, it’s hard to not think about just how bad this season could be. They don’t really have a strong running game, their defense is weak, and the quarterback play is to still be determined.
There are so many unknowns that predicting how this season will go is damn near impossible. But, what we can do is figure out which games are the must-watch. And that’s exactly what I did. So here are my three toughest matchups this season:
#1: Week 12; Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans
The Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns have quite the matchup ahead of them. But, in a weird way. Not necessarily in a competitive way. Well, I suppose it could also be considered that.
After dealing Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns this off-season, and not knowing exactly what is going to happen with him at this point in time, the matchups between them could become a odd type of rivalry. Additionally, if Watson doesn’t end up playing this season, we could be looking at a very even matchup. Allow me to explain.
The Cleveland Browns have the better run game, that is no question. I’m 100% taking Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt over anybody on the Texans. However, the Texans receiving core is arguably much better than the Browns. Between Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, and John Metchie- that’s a strong top three. The Browns on the other hand, don’t really have much.
The Cleveland Brown currently have Amari Cooper, David Bell, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz. But outside of Cooper, there is not a name on this list that really scares me. However, I suppose the same could be said from the Browns perspective.
But, I do feel these teams are a lot closer than people realize. Especially if the Browns don’t have Watson, I feel this matchup could be a very, very, very close game.
#2: Week 4; Los Angeles Chargers vs Houston Texans
Last year the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in a high scoring game of, 29-41. The Texans really came together against Justin Herbert and the rest of the Chargers in that win. In doing so, they showed that they may not have the big names on their roster, but they can still play at a high level. But what makes me so excited is the fact that the Texans have not gotten worse by any means.
They drafted very well through the first couple rounds and helped give their team a much needed boost in the right direction.
In the draft they added a top notch cornerback in Derek Stingley which helped solidify their secondary. Or so we presume. But, they also got some much needed help on their offensive line, in their wide receiver room, and they also drafted a very good linebacker in Christian Harris.
All of these moves help add some young star power to their roster in hopes of eventually competing for the Super bowl. Now, the Chargers did get better, but that could give the Texans an advantage.
The Texans were able to take the Chargers down last season, but this year will be different. The Chargers went out and made multiple moves to help improve their team which means that defeating them will be much more difficult.
If the Chargers go into the game with an uber amount of confidence, then that could give the Texans an edge heading into the game.
#3: Week 8; Philadelphia Eagles vs Houston Texans
The Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles are two of the biggest wild cards in the league. The Eagles just have so many players on their roster that are injury prone that makes it hard for me to see the upside. Therefore, thinking what they could be if they can stay healthy is scary, but once again, in recent years, they haven’t proven they could.
Now, I will give the Eagles some credit because they did go out and trade for A.J. Brown which, as we know from being in the AFC South, was a pretty good pickup. But is Jalen Hurts capable of winning them games? Is Miles Sanders and the offensive line going to stay healthy? That’s what makes me think this game could be so good.
The Eagles made some moves this off-season, but the Texans did too. They did it through the draft and I feel that what they did was significantly better than what the Eagles did. If Davis Mills can take a step up this season, the Texans could be in for a much better season than what we are expecting. And with that, it means a lot of good games.