At the start of a year, most businesses make lists of things to stop doing, keep doing or do better.
No matter how the Texans shape up roster-wise and coaching-wise, here are some things they did well in 2021 that you'll want to see continue and see them build from.
Let's start with a biggie – takeaways. After only nine in 2020, the new D rebounded well, tying for 10th in takeaways and 9th in picks. You'd love to see more but it was a big swing and let's hope it continues.
The Texans weren't exactly a sack machine but Jon Greenard had eight and got them at a rate of one per 25.1 pass-rush snaps – which was good for fourth highest in the league (don't ask me who tracks this stuff. 25-POINT-1! That's some nitty-gritty stuff right there!).
Greenard also had the third highest second-year player grade according to Pro Football Focus (we'll have a quiz on this later).
While we're discussing pressure and feasting on analytics let's point out that Ross Blacklock had the highest QB pressure rate for any Houston defensive tackle since 2016. These aren't exactly stats I can spit out on the back end of a play-by-play call but I'll take it!
Now for some offense – with Davis Mills at the controls, the team had the number one red zone efficiency rating in the NFL at 116.8. There was also a 116.9 rating on deep-ball passing, which was good for second in the league. Mills' completion rate of 66.8% was the third best for a rookie since 1950 (kids, that's before television became a thing).
Factoring into that was fellow rookie Nico Collins, who put up 13.52 yards per catch (I didn't measure this personally but take my word for it. POINT-52! I can't even measure my desk that accurately). That number was the fourth best for any offensive player in his class.
I'd throw Brandin Cooks' numbers in here too but we're running out of time and my typing fingers will get sore. Trust me, as long as he's in the league he'll put up numbers.
There are other 'keep-doings' as well. Like Ka'imi Fairbairn to stay perfect inside of 40 yards, like he's been since 2017 or Tremon Smith to put up at least one kickoff return for a TD per season. But I thought we'd just start with these.
It's a big offseason and the team will, of course, look different in 2022 but these are certainly some things you want to take with you into the next campaign.
Get your tickets today or renew your season tickets for the Houston Texans 2022 Season.
Take a look at the best photos of the 2021 Houston Texans smiles.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the July 29, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp Practice.
An image from the May 26, 2021 OTA workout at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the May 26, 2021 OTA workout at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 10, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the July 30, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp Practice.
An image from the July 31, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the Aug. 6, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the July 31, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the Aug. 12, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 7, 2021 Houston Texans training camp night practice at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 10, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the Aug. 14, 2021preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. The Texans won 26-7.
An image from day 18 of Training Camp at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, on Aug. 19, 2021.
An image from the Aug. 3, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice.
An image from the Aug. 4, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 21, 2021 Houston Texans preseason game 2 against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Texans won 20-14.
An image from the regular season week two away game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 19, 2021. The Texans lost 21-31.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 25, 2021 Houston Texans training camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 28, 2021 Texans preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Texans Lost 16-23.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Aug. 26, 2021 Houston Texans Training Camp practice in Houston, TX.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
An image from the regular season week 4 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans at Highmark stadium in Orchard Park, NY, on Oct. 3, 2021.
An image from the regular season week two away game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 19, 2021. The Texans lost 21-31.
An image from the regular season week two away game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 19, 2021. The Texans lost 21-31.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Oct. 24, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 12, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 11 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN, on Nov. 21, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 15 game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 19, 2021.
An image from NFL regular season week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Nov. 7, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 15 game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 19, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 12, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 15 game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 19, 2021.
An image from the regular season week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Dec. 26, 2021.
