It depends on health imo. Brock is better than anything we had at QB last year(not saying much at all) and I think Lamar Miller is ready to break out. That alleviates two big issues from the offense last year. The OLine is a concern but they're solid at the least if healthy. If not we may have to look into the FA market. And if Clowney builds on this off/pre-season and performs while staying healthy(Big IF) along with a healthy returning JJ this team will be one of the best in the AFC. Granted health is already an issue and will probably be one throughout the season I see 10 wins as the floor still. Really think about how putrid the QB position was last year. If Brockweiler is just an average to above average game manager this team get 2 more wins than last year easily. The schedule is tough but good teams win tough games and I believe we have a good team. If the OLine can't get healthy, which is the biggest concern, we could be in some slight trouble.
You never want to see injuries, but facts aside, here is our schedule going into the BYE: Chicago KC - without Justin Houston @ NE - without Tom Brady TEN @ Minn - without Teddy B Indy @ DEN - without an NFL QB Detroit - No megatron
Losing Teddy B is huge. I think Justin Houston loss is also pretty helpful, that o line won't get murdered as bad. I still think Jimmy G will beat us in New England.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top graded teams after week 3 of the preseason<br><br>1. <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings">@Vikings</a><br>2. <a href="https://twitter.com/Eagles">@Eagles</a> <br>3. <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans">@HoustonTexans</a> <br>t4. <a href="https://twitter.com/Patriots">@Patriots</a> <br>t4. <a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos">@Broncos</a></p>— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/771000346072215552">August 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> sips
Justin Houston on PUP, out first six games including week 2 vs HOU http://www.12up.com/posts/3701203-b...-at-least-first-6-games-of-season?a_aid=40607
That has to make Vikings fans sick. But, with their defense, and AD, they still have a chance at 10 wins. I'm going high on the Texans and saying they get to 11.
Texans should fare well early. They should go 3-1 to start. Loss to Chiefs. Don't see Garoppolo beating our defense.
I just don't know good the Texans are. When I look at their schedule I can give them 8 to 10 wins in their first 12 games but I feel like they can't be that good.
You know they'll lay a few eggs like they do every year. Not bagging on them specifically, almost all good teams lay a couple of eggs every year.
Yeah and being a Texan fan will do that to you. I think they are really good. Clowney healthy, Cushing back. Andre Hal improving(great player this year) Vince in shape, Watt back, Covington improves our DE opposite Watt. Defense will be good. Osweiler, Lamar Miller, Fuller,Brax We got better.
Absolutely. Still have some concerns that make me wary of predicting 12 or 13 wins though. - Obvious O-line issues. Pretty much 5 out of 5 question marks right now. - Can Miller be an every-down back? What if he misses time? We have nothing behind him. - D-line. Besides Watt and Wilfork, who do we have? Dunn, Covington, Reader are all unproven. Worried about stopping the run. Teams can easily run plays away from Watt like KC did in the playoffs.
The only issues I have with that NE game: 1st it will be a short week . We play that Sunday and then play them that Thursday night. 2. We are not a good prime time team. 3. We will be on the road for this one. 4. New England has our number.
At the moment, the Texans have more behind Lamar Miller than they had at the entire RB spot all of last season. Especially lives up to the bar he's been setting here recently.