Packers 2016 Schedule Preview, Vol. 12: Houston Texans added offensive firepower

We have almost reached the end of our series looking at the Green Bay Packers’ opponents for the 2016 season. Although the Packers play sixteen games, the final three are against NFC North opponents and therefore are rematches of games played earlier in the season. Therefore, we have just two more opponents to cover, and in today’s piece we look at the team that the Packers will host in week 13: the Houston Texans.

Houston made the playoffs last year, winning the AFC South by one game with a 9-7 record. At quarterback they featured four different starters: Brian Hoyer made nine starts, Ryan Mallett had four, T.J. Yates had two, and Brandon Weeden one. In 2016, they certainly hope to have a single quarterback play all 16 games after acquiring Brock Osweiler in free agency from the Denver Broncos.

In addition, Houston let an aging veteran running back move on while adding a player at that position in the prime of his career. They also drafted a pair of wide receivers in rounds one and three of the NFL Draft in the hopes of adding weapons around DeAndre Hopkins.

Here’s a look at the Texans’ offseason from the folks at Battle Red Blog, SB Nation’s Texans site.

Houston Texans

Notable free agent additions

QB Brock Osweiler, RB Lamar Miller, OG Jeff Allen

Notable free agent departures

OG Brandon Brooks, C Ben Jones, RB Arian Foster

Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies

WR Will Fuller, C/OG Nick Martin, WR Braxton Miller, and Tyler Ervin (EDGE, a new hybrid slot WR/RB position we created just for him)

Biggest offseason addition

Brock Osweiler

Biggest storyline heading into training camp

How does Brock Osweiler do as the new franchise quarterback? Can he develop chemistry with his young arsenal of weapons? Can he adjust to a new offense under Bill O’Brien? Can he at the very least be good enough to guide this loaded roster to some wins without screwing it up?

Under-the-radar storyline(s) heading into training camp

Kevin Johnson cementing his status as an elite young corner, Jaelen Strong potentially breaking out as DeAndre Hopkins’ partner in crime, J.J. Watt going on a quest to win his fourth DPOY trophy, and of course this team taking the next step from division winner to AFC contender

Notable injuries heading into training camp

J.J. Watt recovering from his various ailments, Kevin Johnson rehabbing from a broken foot and broken wrist, and Duane Brown coming back from a torn quad