5 reasons Texans can win the Super Bowl this year

4 of 5

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Justin Reid #20 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball after intercepting during the NFL match between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on November 03, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images) /

2. Defense improves dramatically

To say that the Houston Texans’ defense was a bit of a liability this past season would be kind. The previous season, there were issues in the secondary as the club allowed 28 TD passes. But Bill O’Brien’s club would offset some of those problems with 29 takeaways, a big reason the eventual AFC South champions would wind up allowing only 316 points.

But that number swelled to 385 points this past season as the Texans surrendered a dismal 45 offensive touchdowns, including 33 through the air. Only three teams in the league allowed more yards per game passing in 2019, this after Houston finished 28th in the NFL in pass defense the previous year.

Earlier this offseason (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter via Sarah Barshop), the organization promoted defensive line coach Anthony Weaver to take over Romeo Crennel. With unsung defensive tackle D.J. Reader off to Cincinnati via free agency, the team used its top pick on TCU interior presence Ross Blacklock – a second-round selection.

The AFC South has some of the top running attacks in the league in the Titans and Colts and with a Jaguars’ team that features Leonard Fournette. The Texans were a disappointing 25th in the league against the run a season ago and that made things even easier for opposing quarterbacks. Weaver has quite the task ahead.

Home/Houston Texans