Five reasons the Houston Texans can win Super Bowl 50

By John Buhler | Jan 6, 2016

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) celebrates with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) and strong safety Andre Hal (29) and outside linebacker John Simon (51) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 6

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs with the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

3. DeAndre Hopkins

DeAndre Hopkins, in year three with the Houston Texans, had his best season as a professional. The former wideout for the Clemson Tigers set career highs in receptions (111), yards (1,521), and touchdown catches (11). He broke former Pro Bowler Andre Johnson’s touchdown receptions record this fall en route to Hopkins’ first Pro Bowl in 2015.

Houston is a better team on the defensive side of the football, but the Texans do have a superstar wide receiver in Hopkins. He was able to put up outstanding numbers despite having four different starting quarterbacks throwing him the football this regular season.

The Texans will likely want to go with the No. 1 quarterback in veteran Brian Hoyer in the Wild Card round against the Chiefs. Hoyer is a good game manager and plays his best football in close games in the fourth quarter. He will look to target Hopkins early and often for as long as the Texans are in the AFC Playoffs.

Having a playmaker on offense of Hopkins’ caliber gives the Texans the opportunity to draw up a home run type of play at any point in the game. His explosiveness at wideout means that the Texans are never really out of a game, as long as the defense plays competitively.

Much of this Texans team were not around during their last playoff run in 2012, so it is up in the air as to how well many of its players will perform against the Chiefs in the Wild Card round. Kansas City hasn’t won a playoff game since 1993 and if the Texans upset the Chiefs, it could ignite a miraculous run through the playoffs. All it would take is one big receiving touchdown from Hopkins to get the Texans back into a close game with any AFC foe, or NFC opponent for that matter.

Next: 2. The AFC is wide open

Home/Houston Texans