Houston Texans: 5 Takeaways From Third NFL Preseason Game

The Houston Texans are, without question, a team to keep an eye on in the AFC this season. After winning the AFC South division title last season, the Texans have high expectations for the 2016 NFL season.

Bill O’Brien has to feel good about his chances to continue the success that his team started last season. They went into the offseason with a few different needs and upgraded a lot of them. Houston also has a lot of talent left over from last season.

Houston played their third preseason game of the 2016 season this afternoon against the Arizona Cardinals. They ended up moving to 3-0 in preseason play with a 34-24 victory. It may only be a preseason game, but the Texans have shown a lot of positive signs in their first three games.

It will be interesting to see where the Texans end up when everything is said and done this season. If they play up to their full potential, they should find themselves in the playoffs. Beating out the Indianapolis Colts for the division title won’t be easy, but the Texans are definitely in the mix.

All of that being said, what five things can be taken away from the Houston Texans’ third preseason game of the year?

One of the biggest needs for the Texans was finding a quarterback better than Brian Hoyer. Brock Osweiler was signed to a four-year, $72 million contract this offseason, as ESPN reported. He completed 11 of his 13 pass attempts for 146 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions, and is further proving that he is ready to prove his critics wrong this season.

Lamar Miller Will Have to Handle a Big Role

Outside of Lamar Miller, it has become increasingly obvious that the Texans don’t have a ton of talent at the running back position. He only carried the football four times for four yards and a touchdown today, but his track record speaks for itself. Miller will have to handle a large workload this season for the Texans.

Will Fuller Is Ready to Make an Impact as a Rookie

Houston made Will Fuller the No. 21 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He had a huge career at Notre Dame and is ready to make an impact as a rookie for the Texans. Fuller caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown this afternoon and is already proving to be a threat in the aerial attack.

While it is just preseason action, the Texans came away with four interceptions today. They have a lot of players who are more than capable of stepping up and making plays within their defense. Houston will need their defense to come through with a big season if they want to have a chance at repeating as AFC South division winners.

Jaelen Strong Will Break Out in His Second NFL Season

Many questions have been raised about Jaelen Strong this offseason. He caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown this afternoon and is ready to break out in his second season. Houston saw star potential when they drafted him last year and he will start showing why they valued him so much this year.

Expect to see the Texans compete in the AFC once again this season and don’t be surprised if they shock the Colts in the AFC South division. They have rebuilt their franchise the right way and are finally seeing their hard work pay off.

Do you think the Houston Texans are serious contenders in the AFC this season? Will they win the AFC South division title? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by Eric Christian Smith/AP]