Saturday, September 19, 2020

Houston Texans Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Houston Texans rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 18.8 (19th)
  • Best ranking: 15th (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 22nd (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Texans in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 19

What we learned: The new-look offense needs work. With Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks, it seemed reasonable to think that the Texans would embrace a downfield passing attack. But Deshaun Watson completed just one pass that traveled at least 15 yards from the line of scrimmage in Houstons loss to the Chiefs. The Texans had trouble in pass protection, and Watson couldnt get anything going downfield. New wide receivers Cooks and Randall Cobb combined for four catches and 43 yards on eight targets. This is a group that looks like it will need some time to establish an offensive identity.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

That was a terrible showing in the opener. Now they have to face the Ravens, another contender. Deshaun Watson has to be better than he was last week - or else.

USA Today -- Rank: 19

Somebody in league's scheduling office hates them. After opening at K.C., Houston draws the Ravens, Steelers and Vikings in succession.

ESPN -- Rank: 19

Best rookie debut: CB John Reid
Without a first-round pick, the Texans don't have a true impact rookie. Only two of the four rookies on the 55-man roster were active in Week 1. Reid, a fourth-round pick, was part of Houston's four-man rotation at cornerback in the season opener against the Chiefs, playing 46% of the defensive snaps. Reid's 32 defensive snaps topped second-year cornerback Lonnie Johnson's playing time, as well. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has praised Reid's maturity and said he likely had the best training camp of any rookie. -- Sarah Barshop

NFL.com -- Rank: 15

Deshaun Watson can't do it by himself . Too often, that's how it feels when watching the Texans on offense. A play breaks down, and the quarterback does his dancing magician act behind the line, eyes always upfield in search of the big play. The genius of Watson is that sometimes, this works ... but not on Thursday night. Will Fuller did most of his damage after the game was decided, and Randall Cobb was virtually invisible in his Texans debut. Houston's defense deserves credit for not allowing Patrick Mahomes to go wild, and new running back David Johnson moved like a veteran with something to prove, but these two teams exist in different worlds. Just like January.

Previous update: Houston Texans Week 1 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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