The Texans were a quarterback away from being a really good football team in 2015. As it was, they overcame a 2-5 start to finish the year at 9-7, winning the AFC South. But that wasn’t enough for Houston in Bill O’Brien’s second season.
Getting embarrassed by Kansas City 30-0 at home in the AFC Wild Card game convinced O’Brien and general manager Rick Smith that changing the complexion of the offense was vital. The obvious position to make a move was quarterback and the Texans made a Texas-sized deal in acquiring Brock Osweiler as a free agent from Denver. Matched with a sold defense, Houston could be on its way to big things in 2016.
Houston Texans Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Texans Over 8.5 Wins -123
Texans Under 8.5 Wins +103
The Texans enter 2016 with high expectations. Some big reasons why are the offseason moves the front office made. None was more important than the acquisition of Osweiler, who should solidify the quarterback position after four players started at least one game last season.
In his two seasons, O’Brien had played nine quarterbacks and started seven. The game of musical chairs at the most important position on the team had to stop. Owner Bob McNair told Smith to do whatever he believed it would take to rectify the problem.
Osweiler has size and toughness, and moves well for a quarterback who’s almost 6-foot-8. He’s fearless in the pocket, has an above-average arm and makes almost every throw. But is he the guy? He had the benefit of the league’s best defense in Denver last season and his numbers weren’t spectacular. But he won games, going 5-2 in his seven starts in place of the injured Peyton Manning.
2016 Houston Texans Schedule
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears ( +5 )
Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs PK
Week 3: at New England Patriots ( -8 )
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans ( +7 )
Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings ( -6 )
Week 6: vs. Indianapolis Colts ( +1.5 )
Week 7: at Denver Broncos ( -6.5 )
Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions ( +4 )
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguars ( +1 )
Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders ( -2 )
Week 12: vs. San Diego Chargers ( +4.5 )
Week 13: at Green Bay Packers ( -7 )
Week 14: at Indianapolis Colts ( -4 )
Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ( +4.5 )
Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals ( -1 )
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
Houston broke the hex Indianapolis had on the AFC South last season, posting a 5-1 record within the division, losing only to the Colts. While the rest of the division has improved, so have the Texans, who are set up to dominate their counterparts once again. Before we get all giddy about the Texans, keep in mind that only one of their nine victories last season came against a team that qualified for the postseason. There are six games on the 2016 docket against playoff teams from a season ago, so take care of business against the non-playoff contenders, and Houston rolls out a 10-spot.
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After a lousy first half, the Texans got hot at the end of the season, going 6-2 after their bye week to unexpectedly win the AFC South. It wasn’t flashy and it took four different starting quarterbacks to do it. To remedy that problem, Houston signed Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million free agent deal. Handing over a lot of dough for an unproven player that they hope will be the franchise quarterback going forward.
Anchored by the dominant J.J. Watt, the Texans have had one of the league’s best defenses for years and that should continue in 2016. Pairing Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller with All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins could put Houston’s offense in line with its already elite defense, making the Texans contenders for more than just a division title.
With moves made in free agency and the draft, the Texans believe they’re in position to successfully defend their third AFC South title in five years. If Osweiler develops the way the coaches believe he will, and the infusion of speed pays off, and they don’t suffer too many debilitating injuries, they’re more than capable of reaching double figures in victories.
NFL Odds: Houston Texans Over 8.5 Wins
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