Texans Mania

5 burning questions that will determine whether the Texans' season is a success or a flop

If Jadeveon Clowney puts it into overdrive, he'll wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks and good things will happen for the Texans.

Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup

Where were you on September 8th, 2002 when the expansion Houston Texans shocked the world and defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19-10? It's hard to believe the Texans franchise is entering it's 15th season. With a less than stellar mark of 106-134 during those previous 14 years, we take a moment to examine the burning issues and questions facing the Texans in advance of their pre-season opener vs. Carolina Wednesday night in Charlotte.

1) Is Bill O' Brien on the hot seat?

Yes, the Texans head coach is on it. After a trio of 9-7 seasons, will his fourth year at the helm allow the Texans to take a notable step forward?

In Year 4, Pete Carroll won a Super Bowl with Seattle. There have been others: Mike Ditka in Chicago comes to mind and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton brought Lombardi's prize to Bourbon Street in his fourth season. Of course, we know the legend in Foxboro. Bill Belichick had already won a pair of rings by his fourth year in New England, and in his fifth campaign would pull in yet another.

O'Brien will need to advance out of the second round of the playoffs if he expects a new contract beyond next season. He has a championship caliber defense, but is that enough?

2) How will the quarterback situation be handled?

He might not want to admit it, but for yet another season O'Brien will have a rotating carousel at the quarterback position. Does anyone really believe that Tom Savage will last a 16-game season fully upright with his limited mobility in the pocket and suspect offensive line? Does anyone really believe that the public urging to "see what No. 4 can do ?" will subside and not intensify with each passing week to see Deshaun Watson in action? I guarantee you by a wide margin, there will be more Watson than Savage jerseys this year in the stands at NRG.

The Texans made a bold move in jumping up spots on Draft Night to nab Watson. An even bolder move, would be to actually play him. That will inevitabily come, and how the coaching staff handles juggling Savage and Watson will in large measure dictate the season the Texans have in 2017.

3) Can the Texans stay healthy?

Will J.J. Watt revert back to All Star form? Can Duane Brown on the offensive side get back to a Pro Bowl caliber level? Defensive Back Kevin Johnson has pro bowl potential, but needs to remain on the field to realize greatness. It should also be pointed out that there are aging vets on this squad. Can Cushing and Jonathan Joseph endure another 16-game season ?

4) Can the Texans beat New England?

Their postseason ended at the hands of Tom Brady. Their two-game winning streak to start 2016 also ended at the hands of the Patriots in resounding fashion. The combined scores of those defeats last year were 61 to 16.

As fate would have it, the Texans travel again to Foxboro in week 3. Can they control the clock, force a few turnovers, and surprise with a gadget play for a chance? A victory could very well catapult the Texans into something special this year.

5) How important is the Clowney factor?

How good can Jadeveon Clowney be? If you talk to his teammates and coaches around the league, the consensus is that Clowney has barely scratched the surface and that greatness is within reach. It's scary to think how good the Texans defense could be with a healthy Watt and Jadeveon at the helm. One NFL insider told me last week "don't be surprised if Clowney leads the NFL in sacks this season." That's lofty praise for a guy who amassed a total of six sacks last season, but something not to be taken lightly. Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent had three gears in which he played. When fully primed and powering off the line, he was unblockable. Clowney much like Dent has different gears. If he puts it into overdrive, he'll wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks and good things will happen for the Texans.

In closing, I'm predicting an 11-5 season for the Texans. They'll have the division sown up and the New Year's Eve finale vs. the Colts in Indianapolis will be non-eventful. The Texans will earn a bye, win their divisional round and inevitability face Tom Brady again in Foxboro in January. Enjoy the season everyone!

Craig Larson Jr. is program director of SB Nation Radio Network.

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Revived Houston Comets franchise will broadcast games on TV for free

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

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Houston sports fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the Comets, the city’s WNBA franchise. When they’re not able to attend games at Toyota Center, Houstonians will be able to watch all of the team’s games for free.

The Comets announced a multi-year partnership with local TV stations KHOU and KTBU to be the team’s home for local broadcasts. All of the Comets’ games will air for free on KTBU (Channel 55) with select games also airing on KHOU (Channel 11). Fans only need an antenna to pick up the signal and watch the games on their TVs.

Games will also be simulcast on Space City Home Network, the team's regional sports network that it shares with the Houston Rockets and the Houston Astros, and on SCHN+, the direct-to-consumer streaming service.

“KHOU has covered Houston sports for decades, and the Comets’ homecoming is a story we’ve been waiting to tell,” said David Loving, president and general manager, KHOU, in a statement. “As a founding partner, we’re ready to bring Comets action to fans across the region.”

Both stations are owned by TEGNA, a media company that operates 64 stations in 51 markets.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta paid a reported $300 million to acquire the Connecticut Sun and relocate them to Houston as the Comets. One of the WNBA’s original franchises, the Comets won the league’s first four championships from 1997-2000. The team disbanded in 2008.

The WNBA season typically begins in early May. Earlier this year, the league announced it would move to a 50-game regular season. This year will also mark the debut of two new teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, that will bring the league to 15 total.

Other details about the Comets’ return to Houston, including updated uniforms and logos, have yet to be announced.

“Bringing the Comets back to Houston is about reigniting the passion, pride, and energy that have always connected this organization with its fans and community,” said Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations for the Houston Rockets and Comets. “As the WNBA continues to reach new heights, we’re thrilled to partner with TEGNA to make Comets basketball more accessible to fans across the Houston area through free, over-the-air broadcasts on KTBU and additional coverage on KHOU. We’re excited to bring fans closer to the action and deliver outstanding coverage as we begin this exciting new chapter in Comets history.”

For more information about the Comets, including season ticket information, visit houstoncomets.com.

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