Every New Year I hear the same statement made by individuals who can’t wait for the clock to hit midnight on December 31st. “New Year, New Me” is what they love to scream as they drink their favorite adult beverage. Well, let’s hope that the Houston Texans organization has that same mantra going into next season. Houston ended its season by losing to the Indianapolis Colts 22 – 13 to finish the season with a 4 -12 record and be ranked last in the AFC South due to the two losses to the Colts. That is very disappointing for a franchise that had won the division back-to-back. Injuries played a major factor in the Texans season this year. Getting all their players back in key positions gives them hope for the 2018 season.

“We had a point in time during the season where we were averaging almost 40 points a game. So, I think the guys battled hard. I appreciated the way that they fought. But each game is different,” said Head Coach Bill O’ Brien when asked if Sunday’s game was any indication of their season.

In a game that lacked offense, the Texans were still able to go into halftime with a 13 – 7 lead but were held scoreless in the second half. Quarterback T.J. Yates didn’t do much to keep the team in position to win, as he put up very disappointing numbers once again for Houston by going 14/24 for 137 yards and one interception.

“First half, we did a good job of running the ball, getting completions, and made third down conversions. Offense was clicking pretty good and we were able to score a touchdown, but in the second half they did a good job stopping the run,” Yates said after the game.

Missing for the first time in 79 games for the Texans was 2017 Pro-Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins and his NFL league leading 13 touchdowns. He sat out due to an injury he suffered in the previous game. Without Hopkins, the Texans were only able to record 209 total offensive yards in the game and it was evident early on that QB T.J. Yates missed his favorite target. “It's difficult, and in certain situations you know where you're going to go, whether it's third down or any type of pressured situation, stuff in the red zone. We definitely missed him out there today.”

After the game, the Texans received some very sad news from the organization. Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Rick Smith decided to take a leave of absence from the team in order to be with his wife as she battles breast cancer. She was diagnosed at the end of September and has been going back and forth to Arizona for treatments. “We made this decision because family is the most important thing in life,” Smith said during a press conference on Monday. We here at Houston Style Magazine Sports would like to wish Mrs. Smith all the best during this time of adversity.