The Houston Texans have stacked four-win seasons the past two years, and are on their third coach since 2020. Talks of playoffs seem preposterous. However, discussion about getting a top-10 pick at the end of the 2022 campaign aren’t far fetched.
What if the Texans were able to contend for a playoff spot and also score a top-10 pick?
According to Tyler Sullivan from CBS Sports, who put together five teams that are eligible to take a step back this season, the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans made the list. The Browns sent their first-round picks from 2022-24 to the Texans for their quarterback. Disciplinary issues surrounding Cleveland’s presumed starter, coupled with the trade of Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers, has led to the possibility Jacoby Brisset is under center for the Browns. Throw in the typical travails of a season, and the Browns may not be able to weather the storm.
That takes care of the top-10 pick aspect.
If the Titans were to drop off in 2022, it would be due to the play from their starting quarterback, according to Sullivan.
This could prove to be a pivotal year for the Titans, especially at quarterback. Despite leading his team to a 12-5 record, Ryan Tannehill took a step back in 2021. His passer rating was the lowest it’s been since he arrived in Nashville and his 14 interceptions during the regular season were the most in his Titans tenure and second-most of his career. Those turnovers issues also reared their head in Tennessee’s one-and-done appearance in the playoffs as he threw three interceptions in the club’s 19-16 loss to the Bengals in the divisional round.
If Tannehill struggles again this season, the Titans do have an out in his contract next offseason where they could clear just under $20 million in cap space. Tennessee also drafted former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round, stoking even more fuel to the flames of Tannehill entering a make-or-break season.
If the Texans are able to retain their dominance over the Jacksonville Jaguars while sweeping Tennessee for the first time since 2015, that matches their win total over the past two seasons. If Houston is able to come up with four to five more wins, that will put them in the running for the third and final wild-card spot. If nothing else, the last few weeks of the regular season ought to be more interesting than they have been.
The most important element is ultimately in Houston. The Texans have to be stepping forward while these two teams are stepping back.
