Got a question about the Texans? Life in general? Drew Dougherty's your guy. He's been with the Texans since 2009 and is chock full of meaningful, as well as generally useless, information. Fire away by clicking HERE!
David Hyde: Dear Drew, Do you see WR Nico Collins & TE Brevin Jordan playing times increase for the remainder of the season?
DD: Yes, and it's actually been going up recently. They were both in for 60 percent or more of the snaps last week, with Jordan's snap count jumping from 28 percent at Tennessee. It's clear that they're going to be contributors here in the future and getting them game reps now helps their learning process. It also helps the team's chances of winning now as well, because they're playing well. The future looks pretty bright for each guy. Collins said he wants to get better at reading defenses, while Jordan's wants to be a complete tight end and shore up his blocking skills.
Lance Snell: Dear Drew, If the Texans were to win against the Colts, the Jaguars and the Titans all one more time this season, could they be in the playoffs?
DD: No Lance, they'd need to win every other game they play, AND have a lot of other teams lose in a combination of ways. In your scenario, they would finish the regular season with an AFC South record of 5-1, which is fantastic, but the NFL isn't like college football, and you've got to win your other games to win your division. The team with the best overall record wins the AFC South. Because they're ensured of a losing record in 2021, it's all but impossible for Houston to make the playoffs this year.
Kurt Spradley: Dear Drew, What do you think the Texans biggest need is in this upcoming draft?
DD: The Texans really can't go wrong getting the very best player available when they pick. I know that's an incredibly boring and vague answer, so I'm sorry Kurt, but if they see one of the excellent pass rushers available whenever they're choosing, I say go for it. If they think there's a cornerback who's the best player out there, as opposed to the other players available, take him. Safety? Sure. The Texans have nine draft picks: a first, second, two-thirds, a fourth, three sixths and a seventh.
Mark Baughman: Dear Drew, If you could change one play in Texans history, which one would it be? And what would you do differently with that play?
DD: Mark, this is a tremendous question. I've missed seeing you and the group at Fuddruckers shows this year, and hope we get that going again when things get back under control. I thought long and hard and had a lot of options, but I'll go with this one…
After I shook you and your brother's hand and took a selfie at Arrowhead Stadium almost two years ago, I'd alter a play in the Divisional Round loss at Kansas City. The Texans were up 21-0, they'd just picked up eight yards on 3rd-and-9 and the clock was running with 11 minutes and change remaining in the first half. Rather than calling a timeout and sending out Ka'imi Fairbairn to kick the field goal, I would've hustled the offense up to the line.
On 4th-and-1 at the Chiefs' 13-yard line, I'd have Deshaun Watson fake a handoff to Carlos Hyde, roll out and let him either throw it to Darren Fells or run it in for a first down. The Texans get a few yards, run a couple more plays and get the touchdown. They'd go up 28-0, the boos from Kansas City fans would get even louder for the home team and there would only be about eight minutes and change left in the half.
I think mentally, that would've sapped a lot more out of the Chiefs. The Texans made that field goal and went up 24-zip, but the ensuing kickoff was returned 65 yards to the Houston 35-yard line, and the comeback was on.
Thanks, Mark. Now I'm sobbing on my keyboard.
See the Texans host the Seahawks on December 12 at NRG Stadium in Week 14.Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets
