No. 2: Regression in the defense
In previous seasons, the Texans have been among the top defenses, statistically, in the NFL in spite of injuries to star players like defensive ends J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Furthermore, before the emergence of Deshaun Watson, a poor offense that struggled to score points.
With the return of Watt, linebacker Whitney Mercilus and the acquisition of Tyrann Mathieu, this year was supposed to be the return of Houston’s dominant defense. However, so far the Texans defense has been one of the worst in the league. Allowing 27 points per game and over 382 total yards per contest.
To make things worse, this star-studded defense has been unable to force turnovers. On the season Houston is minus-1 in the turnover margin. This is because the defense has only one interception and six forced fumbles on the year.
This team was built around its defense. Unless the defense is able to pick up the level of play, the Texans will continue to lose games.