What Is 2017 Houston Texans football team

Overview

The 2017 season for the Houston Texans was marked by high expectations followed by significant disappointment. After winning the AFC South in 2016, the team entered the season aiming to build on its playoff momentum. However, injuries and offensive struggles derailed their campaign early.

Under head coach Bill O'Brien, the Texans began the season with rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, who showed immense promise. But Watson’s season-ending ACL tear in November severely impacted the team’s performance. The offense lacked consistency, and defensive injuries further weakened the roster.

• Record: The Texans finished the season with a 4-12 record, their worst since 2013, and missed the playoffs entirely.
• Division standing: They placed 4th in the AFC South, behind the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts.
• Quarterback situation:Deshaun Watson started strong with 19 touchdown passes in 7 games before his season ended in Week 9.
• Injuries: Star defensive end J.J. Watt missed the entire season after undergoing back surgery, weakening the defensive line.
• Coaching: Head coach Bill O'Brien faced criticism for play-calling and quarterback management amid the team's offensive decline.

How It Works

The 2017 Texans' season unfolded through a combination of promising starts, critical injuries, and roster instability. Understanding how the season progressed requires examining key roles, player performances, and pivotal moments.

• Deshaun Watson's rookie impact: Drafted at 12th overall in 2017, Watson quickly became the offensive centerpiece, throwing for 1,698 yards and 19 TDs in 7 games.
• Tom Savage's struggles: After Watson’s injury, Tom Savage started 9 games, throwing 6 interceptions with a 61.8 passer rating, leading to benchings.
• Defensive leadership: Despite Watt’s absence, linebacker Brian Cushing recorded 81 tackles and one interception in 14 games.
• Running game:Lamar Miller rushed for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns, providing one of the few consistent offensive elements.
• Special teams: Kicker Younghoe Koo was released after missing four field goals; replaced by Ka’imi Fairbairn, who made 77% of attempts.
• Season low point: A 45-7 loss to the Patriots in Week 15 highlighted the team’s collapse, with the defense allowing 45 points in a single game.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 Texans' performance can be better understood when compared to the previous and following seasons, highlighting the impact of injuries and roster changes.

This comparison shows how the 2017 season was an outlier in a generally competitive era. The drop from 9 wins in 2016 to 4 in 2017 was largely due to Watson’s injury and the lack of a reliable backup. By 2018, with Watson healthy, the team rebounded to 11 wins, demonstrating his importance.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in the Texans' franchise timeline, shaping future decisions in player development and coaching strategy.

• Quarterback development: Watson’s early success proved he could be a franchise QB, justifying the team’s rebuild around him.
• Injury management: The season emphasized the need for stronger depth, especially at quarterback and along the defensive line.
• Coaching scrutiny: O'Brien’s handling of the quarterback rotation drew national criticism and led to later organizational changes.
• Rebuilding focus: The poor record gave the Texans a higher draft pick in 2018, allowing them to strengthen key positions.
• Team resilience: Despite setbacks, the season helped build team culture around Watson’s leadership and perseverance.
• Long-term impact: The 2017 struggles directly influenced the team’s decision to extend Watson’s contract in 2020, before later trade demands.

The 2017 Houston Texans season, while disappointing, served as a cautionary tale about roster depth and injury risk in the NFL. It also underscored the transformative potential of a single player like Deshaun Watson, whose brief season foreshadowed brighter years ahead.