NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

The Houston Texans were coming off a franchise-worst 2-14 season in early 2014 when they hired former Penn State Nittany Lions and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to lead their franchise. The choice immediately paid off. Despite getting absolutely nothing from an injured Jadeveon Clowney – Houston top-overall pick – the Texans were able to finish 9-7 and barely out of a playoff spot.

In his second year with the team, O’Brien has a solid roster. Although general manager Rick Smith decided to release future Hall-of-Fame receiver Andre Johnson for financial reasons, Houston looks to have a good nucleus of talent on both sides of the ball. The Texans were able to nab Cecil Shorts III in free agency, a potential steal to pair with third-year receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins emerged from the shadows in 2014, amassing more than 1,200 receiving yards.

The bellcow of the offense remains running back Arian Foster, who despite turning 29 years old in August still figures to be a force. Last year, Foster ran for 1,246 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry. Foster also provided a safety valve for his quarterbacks, catching 38 passes for an additional 327 yards. The offense is light in weapons outside of Foster and Hopkins, but both are explosive enough to carry the day.

Defensively, the story starts and ends with J.J. Watt. Yes, there are other talents to speak of including Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brian Cushing, Vince Wilfork and perhaps Clowney, but Watt is in a league all his own. Watt racked up 20.5 sacks last year despite playing as a 3-4 end, a position which rarely has big sack totals. With Watt on the line, the opposing offensive coordinator has the impossible chore of slowing his down.

If Watt, Hopkins and Foster can all do their part, and either Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett can simply keep the turnovers down, the Texans will compete for a wild-card spot in the weak AFC South.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars