2017 NFL win/loss projections for all 32 teams

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have done something remarkable the last two years. They’ve won the their division both times with absolutely rancid quarterback play. Houston used four starters under center to win the AFC South in 2015 and had to deal with Brock Osweiler’s inconsistent nature last fall. While Houston returns arguably the best defensive front in football, the Texans will be playing in an improved AFC South. How will that impact their season?

Had Marcus Mariota not broken his leg against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve, the Tennessee Titans would have probably won the AFC South. Though the Texans did manage to win an AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, that was at home and Oakland was without Derek Carr, who also broke his leg on Christmas Eve.

If you really think about it, Houston ended up as a top-eight team in football thanks to two emerging stars at quarterback in the AFC breaking their leg on the same day. Houston may have invested in the future at quarterback in Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, but he won’t start right out of the gate. Get ready for the Tom Savage show, Houston! It’ll be a ton of not looking to throw the football down the field.

Indianapolis and Tennessee are infinitely better under center than the Texans. If Blake Bortles returns to 2015 form, Houston will have the worst quarterbacking situation in the AFC South. Though they do have weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Lamar Miller on offense, Houston will have to be a defensive-minded team to three-peat in the AFC South.

Overall, Houston is just not going to be able to put up enough points to contend in the AFC. Though they are not going to fall off a cliff record-wise, the Texans will hover around .500 as they see their three rival teams get better while they fluctuate. Head coach Bill O’Brien’s seat starts to get a little toasty around Thanksgiving.

Projected Record: 8-8, Misses AFC Playoffs