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Top 10 favorites for Super Bowl 53

By Brad Berreman

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Tom Brady /
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Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ferrey-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Ferrey-Getty Images /

9. Houston Texans

The Texans went a dismal 4-12 in 2017, due in part to major injuries on both sides of the ball. J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus combined to play 10 games with one sack, and after being a revelation for five straight games quarterback Deshaun Watson went down with a torn ACL.

Watson has a chance to be ready for Week 1, which would give Bill O’Brien a capable signal caller and one of the better quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league in Watson and DeAndre Hopkins. Even with a down year defensively, the fact defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel became the Tennessee Titans head coach speaks to the level of talent on that side of the ball. With Romeo Crennel stepping back into the coordinator role, Houston only needs better health to again have one of the league’s best defenses.

With a good young quarterback, a legit No. 1 wide receiver, a solid running game and a top-tier defense on all levels when everyone’s healthy, the Texans can win games in a variety of ways. The AFC South looks sure to be pretty competitive next year, but Houston has one of the best collections of talent in the AFC and arguably the entire league.

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