DeAndre Hopkins: Texans are 'the team to beat in the AFC South'
Star wideout says Brock Osweiler is demanding perfection from Texans WRs
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2 min read
Finally, the AFC South appears to be on the rise.
The Jaguars just earned the offseason championship crown with a spending spree in free agency and a promising draft that netted them two top-five talents in Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. The Titans have their quarterback of the future in Marcus Mariota. The Colts hopes rest entirely on Andrew Luck's arm -- per usual -- but Luck should begin the season fully healthy. And then there are the Texans.
A year ago, the Texans captured the AFC South, though they only won nine games. According to star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, that gives the Texans the title of "the team to beat" in the division, even if the rest of the division is trending upward.
"I feel like we've earned that title to be the team to beat in the AFC South," Hopkins said Saturday, per the Houston Chronicle. "When I got here (2013), it was the Colts (2013, 2014). We finally (got) over that hump. Hopefully, we can continue to be the team to beat."
One reason for his optimism is the Texans' new quarterback: Brock Osweiler. Considering the Texans' season ended when Brian Hoyer threw four interceptions and compiled a 15.9 passer rating in an opening-round playoff loss to the Chiefs, that optimism makes sense. After all, Osweiler played a role in the Broncos' championship season.
"It's very pleasing to work with a guy that's demanding and a leader like he is," Hopkins said of Osweiler. "Demanding of your best, for you to be perfect, almost."
But Osweiler's role on the Broncos was minimal. His 86.4 passer rating last season -- when he filled in for Peyton Manning -- was actually lower than Hoyer's 91.4 rating. There's no guarantee that Osweiler even comes close to living up to his mega-contract, which the Texans handed to him after meeting with him for 10 seconds.
Then again, as long as the Texans can find a quarterback who can successfully hoist up jump balls down the sideline and avoid back-breaking interceptions, they should be better off than last year.
"To me, it doesn't matter as long as they have somebody that can get it to me at least 20 yards down the field," Hopkins said.
He has a point. Last year, Hopkins caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards, and 11 touchdowns. The Texans invested heavily in receivers this offseason, drafting burner Will Fuller and an intriguing prospect in Braxton Miller. With Hopkins leading, the Texans receiving corps will at least give them a shot to repeat as AFC South champs.
The Jaguars, while much improved, are still a team coming off a five-win season. The Titans won just three games. Really, the Colts figure to be the Texans' biggest challenger, which means it should be another typical season in the AFC South.
A team other than the Texans or Colts hasn't won the division since 2008.
