Why I’m Excited About The 2018 Houston Texans

This week, SB Nation has asked its NFL sites to share a reason (or multiple reasons) for excitement about their respective teams this year. For your Houston Texans, I believe the list starts—and perhaps ends—with a universal reason.

Deshaun Watson.

After years in the wilderness, it appears the Texans have a legitimate, honest to goodness franchise quarterback. While reasonable minds can differ about whether DW4 can build upon or approach the scintillating numbers he posted in six and a half games as a rookie, there’s no doubt that it’s going to be exciting to watch. If Watson stays healthy, if he is the game-changer he looked to be in Bill O’Brien’s offense last year, the Texans are going to be appointment television week in and week out, and they could (should?) be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Other reasons for excitement as a Texans fan include:

-J.J. Watt’s desire to return to the form that won him three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

-Whitney Mercilus reentering the conversation about his place among the most underrated players in the NFL.

-Tyrann Mathieu’s effect on the Houston secondary.

-DeAndre Hopkins continuing to make the spectacular look effortless.

-Will Fuller getting behind opposing secondaries and catching spirals from Deshaun Watson in full stride.

-The uncertainty surrounding the offensive line (hey, fear can be exciting!).

-Romeo Crennel taking the controls back for the Texans’ defense.

And finally, not to jinx it, but the POSSIBILITY that we see the much anticipated pass rushing troika of Watt/Mercilus/Jadeveon Clowney wreaking havoc for an extended period of time.

Which of those excite you most as a Texans fan? Any other players or story lines have you particularly geeked up as we march toward the 2018 regular season?