NFL: Houston Texans will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

By Russell S. Baxter | Jun 30, 2014

Jun 17, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) goes through drills during mini camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports /

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But: The running game of the Texans must return to its once-consistent ways or the lack of balance will prove to be a big problem for O’Brien’s offense and his quarterbacks.

With Foster ailing and Ben Tate leading the team in rushing yards, Houston averaged only 108.9 yards per game on the ground in 2013, tied for 20th in the league. Tate signed with the Cleveland Browns this offseason and the team did add free agent Andre Brown, late of the New York Giants. In an AFC South where every team was ranked 20th or lower in the league in rushing defense, O’Brien and company need to take advantage of that fact, as well as cutting back on those 31 turnovers by the clubs this past season.

All told, Houston finished dead last in the NFL in 2013 with a minus-20 turnover differential, quite a turnaround from the previous season when the club was a solid plus-12 in the same department.

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