The Houston Texans haven’t lived up to expectations this season.
And, surprisingly, that’s quite an accomplishment considering the bar was so low, to begin with. The team was predicted to struggle. However, the reality is much more severe. In many ways, this is a self-inflicted wound. And, the team is hemorrhaging.
To say the Texans are in a rebuild is an understatement. Years of poor decisions, front office turnover, and crumbling culture have left the team fighting to even field a competitive roster. Many thought the team would be bad. Yet what’s on the field this season is much worse.
And there isn’t much hope on the horizon either. Through Week 7, the Texans rank near the bottom in virtually every offensive and defensive statistical category. Hunter Atkins Houston Chronicle shares his early 2021 review. The veteran sports reporter examines three storylines that have defined the Texans’ season so far.
Longing for a quarterback
It’s difficult to rack up “Ws” without a QB. Former franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson has dominated headlines despite not playing a single snap. He’s been mired by off-the-field issues and constant trade rumors. Needing an immediate solution, Tyrod Taylor was set to get a shot under center. After leading the team to its only win in Week 1, he was injured and unable to finish their next game. That left the reins to rookie Davis Mills. Although he was a highly-touted prospect out of high school, he was inconsistent at Stanford. Forced into action, he’s amassed an 0-5 record as a starter, with a meager 65% completion rate and seven interceptions.
Shipping out talent
If the cupboard was already bare, now it’s virtually empty. The Texans have been the subject of trade rumors since training camp began. It seems the team is relentlessly trying to sell off all its parts while it can. While much of the attention has been around Deshaun Watson, the Texans have traded away key veterans already. In their latest trade, the team parted with running back Mark Ingram. As Hunter Atkins Houston Chronicle notes, this doesn’t just hurt the team’s chances at winning games. It also destroys morale. Since the team appears determined to trade away more assets, frustration is likely to seep into the locker room. In fact, it may have already boiled over.
Finishing strong
While the Texans aren’t likely to go to the Super Bowl anytime soon, there may still be a silver lining for 2021. Getting a healthy Tyrod Taylor back should steady the ship. However, Hunter Atkins Houston Chronicle finds relief in another area. The team’s schedule appears to be slightly softer during the second half. Games against the Jaguars, Jets, and Dolphins at least give the Texans a fighting chance to seek out a few more wins. This could be the momentum the team needs heading into next season.
