Houston Texans: 3 questions that need to be answered during the bye week

How good can the Houston Texans be?

This is a question that seems ridiculous to you readers because we all know how good the Houston Texans are. They’re riding a hot streak now even with the bye week. To go from six straight wins after starting 0-3 is amazing.

Sure, the Texans are 6-3, but we could easily have been 8-1 or 9-0 with the scores of the first three games being one-score differential. But now, there’s a question of what this does for the team in the long haul. Does it make the team contenders for the Super Bowl? Can the Texans continue the momentum? What will the legacy of this team be?

It’s so strange how the last few years, the Texans have been dealt with adversity. From the number of quarterbacks used to injuries of key players, this Texans team has proven time and time again that they can handle adversity to get to the playoffs. But that’s just it. Getting to the playoffs. It’s no easy task for sure. Yet, we already know what it feels like to get to the playoffs. Now it’s a matter of can we take the next step.

A lot of skeptics feel that while the Texans are on a roll and can be a tough team to beat, they probably aren’t the favorites to win it all. Hate to say this, but they’re right. The Texans have won six straight. Yet in that stretch, only one of the teams we’ve defeated (Dolphins) has a winning record. Looking at the remaining schedule, I don’t see any way we can lose more than two games from here on out.

So, let’s take a look at what’s coming up next. Washington is next week and they’ll probably be the toughest game to date. Then we got Tennessee, who is coming off a big win over the Cowboys. So that will be a challenge in itself.

Cleveland, Indianapolis, the New York Jets, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville are the final games of the season. The AFC South games will be at home while Cleveland and the Jets are struggling to find consistent play, which both of these things help out the Texans. But what does hurt is the schedule seems to be among the least competitive in all of the NFL.

So maybe it’s going to be another year where the Texans make the playoffs and lose either in the wild card or second round. But then again, maybe we’re seeing something that we’ve wanted to see in recent years. This Texans team is proving to everyone that they can be scary if overlooked. Still, the mindset isn’t on the Super Bowl just yet. It’s a week-by-week message from the Texans.

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If anything, the Texans have potential to be the third best team in the NFL behind the Patriots and Chiefs heading into the playoffs.

In closing,

Ultimately, the Texans should be able to give other teams reasons to fear them. This team has been at best average despite making the playoffs year after year. Now that the pieces appear to be in place, Houston should be looked at as a team that can win but will need to answer the questions of making the next step.

Making the playoffs is getting boring, especially with how we’ve done so in the past. This team needs to get in the mindset of let’s shoot for the Super Bowl. We know the challenges are great. We feel we can respond to adversity better than anyone else. Yet, we have to continue to play our game. It won’t always be easy wins or tough losses. But the game has to be played at a hundred percent.

The Houston Texans have dug themselves out of the hole for now. But rather than be stuck on earth, it’s time for Houston to answer the questions and make a case as to why they, not the Patriots, Chiefs, Chargers, or Steelers, are worthy of the Super Bowl.