Houston Texans: 5 Bold Predictions For The 2016 NFL Season
The Houston Texans are entering a 2016 NFL season that many believe will be a big year for them. They were able to come away with an AFC South division title last season, although the Indianapolis Colts suffered from a full year of injuries. Houston was able to bring in quite a few new pieces in the offseason and definitely seem to have improved.
Brock Osweiler was the biggest addition that the Texans made throughout the offseason. He was widely expected to re-sign with the Denver Broncos, but the Texans swooped in and signed him to be their long-term starting quarterback.
In addition to Osweiler, the Texans were able to sign running back Lamar Miller. He will be an upgrade over the often injured Arian Foster for the Houston offense. Miller had a huge year with the Miami Dolphins last season and will fit very nicely into the offense that Houston is going to run in 2016.
Looking ahead at the upcoming season, there are many reasons for the Texans’ fan base to get excited. They shouldn’t expect a Super Bowl victory, but the playoffs are a good possibility, to say the least.
All of that being said, what five bold predictions can be made for the Texans heading into the 2016 NFL season?
Houston is going to be a much more pass oriented offense this season than they have been in recent years. Osweiler was signed to be a threat and will be asked to shoulder a large load throughout the year. He will throw for at least 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, and less than eight interceptions on the season.
Lamar Miller Is a Top-Five Running Back in All-Purpose Yards
Arian Foster was the face of the Texans’ franchise last year, but he is no longer on the team. Lamar Miller was signed in free agency and is one of the top dual-threat backs in the NFL. He will be a top-five running back in the league when it comes to all-purpose yardage.
J.J. Watt Is Top-Three in NFL MVP Voting
If the Texans are going to make the playoffs again this season and make a postseason run, they will need J.J. Watt to play like a monster. He is more than capable of doing just that and working his way into the MVP conversation. Watt is without question the best defensive lineman in the league and will continue proving that fact this year.
Jadeveon Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Texans. He was expected to be a franchise caliber player, but injuries derailed him immediately and he hasn’t shown that potential. That will change this season, and the Texans will see once again why they chose to draft him that high.
Houston Texans Will Once Again Win the AFC South Division Title
After winning the division last year, many analysts view the Texans as the front-runner to win the AFC South once again this year. Indianapolis is going to be a tough team to beat, but Houston has improved quite a bit from last year. It should be a very competitive division, but the Texans will find a way to come out on top.
Expect to see the Texans take another step forward this season. They have been building the right way over the past few years, and it is paying off for them.
Do you think the Houston Texans will win the AFC South division once again this season? Are they good enough to make a postseason run? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith]
