Can any of the 0-2 NFL teams save their 2018 season?
By Ian Wharton
1. Houston Texans: The least resistance
The team with the best chance to overcome their 0-2 start has to be the Houston Texans. Their slow start against the New England Patriots shouldn’t have been surprising considering the state of their offensive line, the fact that Deshaun Watson made his return after playing little in the preseason, and a new secondary. And even after losing a game they could’ve won in Tennessee, the Texans can still recover.
Some of this is schedule-related. The AFC South is weak outside of Jacksonville, and the Texans host three of their next four opponents. Matchups against the Giants, Colts, Cowboys, and Bills all look winnable, especially since only the Colts game is on the road.
The good news is that the strengths of the team are significant. Watson started to look more comfortable in the second-half against the Titans, and no one can question how good DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller are. Their defensive front seven is fantastic, and the secondary has potential to gel if they can get a little more out of Johnathan Joseph.
Like the Giants, the run game and offensive line continues to give headaches. Lamar Miller’s accumulated 166 yards on 4.9-yard average, but take out his 31-yard season-long run and that number is a whole lot less impressive. It’s just not a consistent aspect of the offense.
The Texans will be competing for a Wild Card spot if they can hit their ceiling. Watson must continue his development in the pocket and the line needs to give him a reliable pocket. Those two things will go a long way in this team realizing their potential.