Team Spirit author Mark Stewart talks about the OVERTIME web page.

Mark picks his favorite Texans

What’s new with the Houston Texans? That’s what this page is all about.

The Team Spirit OVERTIME website begins where the Team Spirit books end.

That’s because football never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!

Scroll down for team updates, player profiles, and stats you won’t find in the book. Click on the videos to the left to hear me talk about Team Spirit OVERTIME as well as my favorite players. And take a look below at some of the Texans collectibles I have in my home—pretty cool, right?

Enjoy this site, check back whenever you like, and contact me with any questions or comments.

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Updates

2022 Season

2022 Season Roundup: Usually there is not much good to take away from a three-win season like the Texans had in 2022. However, the team woke up and played well in its final five games, so fans have a reason to be hopeful in 2023. Besides having some young talent on both sides of the ball, the Texans got a great year out of pass rusher Jerry Hughes. Coach Lovie Smith was let go by the team after the season, which means the job of rebuilding Houston will fall to someone else.

2022 Season Preview: No team wants to be picked as the worst in its conference, but based on last season, the Texans are everyone’s pick to finish at the bottom of the pile. The good news is that they have nowhere to go but up—and the talent to do so. That starts with the legendary Lovie Smith, Houston’s new coach, and some key draft picks who will get a chance to play right away. David Mills showed enough at quarterback in 2021 to lead the Texans to a handful of wins in 2022, while Houston’s special teams could also produce a victory or two.

2021 Season

2021 Season Roundup: After winning their opening game, the Texans lost 10 of their next 11 and finished up at 3–14. The team struggled to put points on the board all season long. That wouldn’t have been so bad if the defense had played well, as it usually does. But it didn’t. Houston fans didn’t have much to cheer about except for receiver Brandin Cooks, who caught 90 passes, and rookie quarterback Davis Mills, who showed some promise late in the season.

2021 Season Preview: The 2021 season will almost certainly focus on who takes snaps at quarterback for the Texans. Tyrod Taylor and rookie David Mills should start the year competing for DeShaun Watson’s job, but the NFL may allow Watson to return from legal troubles and reclaim his old position—or, more likely, go to another club in a trade. Houston has a good coach and experienced players at important positions, but that may not be enough to win more than a handful of games this year.

2020 Season

2020 Season Roundup: Houston lost six of its first seven games, ruining any chance for a successful season. Among the bright spots in a 4–12 campaign was the passing of DeShaun Watson, who led the NFL with 4,823 yards. Brandin Cooks was his favorite receiver, with 81 catches for 1,150 yards. The Texans’ defense—usually their strength—gave up too many points, forcing the team to play from behind more often than not.

October 11, 2020: When the Texans kicked off to the Jaguars to start their Week 5 game, Houston’s Romeo Crennel officially became the oldest head coach in NFL history at age 73. The previous record was held by Hall of Famer George Halas of the Chicago Bears, who was 72 during his final year as head coach, in 1967.

2020 Season Preview: You might think that a team that trades away superstars DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney—as the Texans did in recent years—would be rebuilding. But in 2020, Houston is looking to lock up a playoff spot. Three established stars have joined the team: David Johnson, Randall Cobb, and Brandin Cooks. They give DeShaun Watson’s offense a big boost.  The Houston defense should be solid up front. If the Texans can stop the passing game, the team could make it to the postseason.

2019 Season

2019 Season Roundup: The Texans won the AFC South with a 10–6 record and nearly upset the Chiefs in the playoffs. Houston’s main weapons in 2019 were receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught 104 passes, quarterback DeShaun Watson, tight end Darren Fells, and running back Carlos Hyde. Defensive leader JJ Watt only made it into half the team’s games, but the Texans usually found a way to make big plays when they had to.

2019 Season Preview: Deshaun Watson was mostly healthy in 2018 and the Texans became division champs. If he and the team’s other stars—including Lamar Miller, Will Fuller, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt—can avoid serious injuries in 2019, they could win the crown again.

2018 Season

2018 Season Roundup: Houston lost its first three games then won nine in a row—a first in NFL history. The Texans finished with 11 wins and an AFC South title behind the leadership of quaerterback DeShaun Watson and the pass-catching of DeAndre Hopkins, who had 115 receptions. J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Benardrick McKinney led the NFL’s #4 defense. Houston’s season ended early with a loss in the playoffs to the Colts.

2018 Season Preview: An injury to quarterback DeShaun Watson destroyed a promising season for Houston last year. Assuming Watson can stay healthy, the Texans should be in the playoff hunt in Week 17. Wideout DeAndre Hopkins leads a group of speedy receivers capable of scoring anytime from anywhere on the field. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney lead a scary defensive front seven.

2017 Season

2017 Season Roundup: Injuries to J.J. Watt and rookie QB Deshaun Watson prevented Houston from taking a big step forward in 2017. After starting the year 3–3, the Texans lost nine of their last 10 games. A team known for its defense finished last in the league in points allowed, despite a great season from defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

2017 Season Preview: Everyone in Houston is waiting for DeShaun Watson to take over as the Texans’ #1 quarterback. The college superstar has the talent to power the team’s offense, which does not have many big-play stars. In the meantime, Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt will hold the fort on defense, which has long been Houston’s strength.

2016 Season

2016 Season Roundup: The Texans won the AFC South for the second year in a row with a 9–7 record. They did so with the NFL’s number-one defense—even though defensive superstar J.J. Watt missed most of the year due to injury! Lamar Miller ran for more than 1,000 yards and DeAndre Hopkins led the team with 78 catches. Only one opponent score more than three touchdowns against Houston, which won its opening playoff game before losing to the Patriots in the second round.

2016 Season Preview: Brock Osweiler helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl as Peyton Manning’s backup in 2015. Now, as Houston’s starter, the question is can he do it for 16 games? He’ll have help from newcomer Lamar Miller and DeAndre Hopkins, and a decent offensive line. The Texans’ defense is built around J.J. Watt. If he stays healthy, this unit could be the best in the NFL. It boasts talent at every position.

2015 Season

January 3, 2016: J.J. Watt sacked the quarterback three times in a game against the Jaguars to finish as the league leader with 17.5.

2015 Season Preview: The Texans are known for having a tremendous defense, and they’ll need it this year because there are big question marks surrounding their passing and running games. J.J. Watt leads a tough and talented D into battle.

2014 Season

December 28, 2014: J.J. Watt became the first player with two 20-sack seasons. He was named Defensive Player of he Year.

September 2, 2014: With the addition of rookie pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to monstrous J.J. Watt, the Texans now have the scariest defensive line in the AFC. The offense is powered by the backfield trio of Arian Foster, Alfred Blue, and Jonathan Grimes, and veteran receiver Andre Johnson. If Ryan Fitzpatrick does a consistent job at quarterback, Houston could find itself playing for the AFC championship.

2013 Season

September 8, 2013: Andre Johnson set a record with his 19th game catching 10 or more passes.

September 4, 2013: The Texans return to the field in 2013 with a lights-out defense, led by J.J. Watt, and a powerful running game, led by Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Andre Johnson, Keyshawn Martin, and rookie DeAndre Hopkins give Matt Schaub great targets, but he will need to step up his game come playoff time for Houston to fulfill its Super Bowl ambitions.

2012 Roundup

February 2, 2013: J.J. Watt was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He had 20.5 sacks and forced 4 fumbles during the 2012 season. Many picked the Titans to reach the Super Bowl after winning 12 games and taking the AFC South crown. But the defense crumbled against the Patriots in the playoffs, as Houston lost 41–28.

December 30, 2012: J.J. Watt was named Offensive Player of the Month for December. It was the second time he won the award during the season.

Summer, 2012: Several good drafts and experience gained from last season’s playoff victory should add up to an exciting season in Houston. If Matt Schaub can stay healthy, the Texans could have the best record in the AFC. Even if he doesn’t, the players know that they can still win without him.

More Go-To Guys

You don’t hear much about the top fullbacks in the NFL. Vonta Leach was a monster when he played for Houston. (Topps, Inc.)

Steve Slaton posed for this magazine cover as a college player. I hope he switched helmets before the game started. (Street & Smith Publishing)

  • Kris Brown — Kicker
    Born: 12/23/1976
    Played for Team: 2002 to 2009
    A new team in the NFL often has trouble scoring touchdowns. That makes a good kicker a very valuable player. Kris Brown proved to be that and more for the Texans. He became one of the league’s most accurate kickers, especially on long field goals. In 2007, Brown made all five kicks he attempted of at least 50 yards.

  • Vonta Leach — Running Back
    Born: 11/6/1981
    Played for Team: 2006 to 2010
    Vonta Leach was a powerful blocker who loved to lead runners down the field for big gains. Leach didn’t get the ball very often, but no one was more important to Houston’s rushing attack. After the 2010 season, he played in the Pro Bowl and was voted an All-Pro.

  • Amobi Okoye — Defensive Lineman
    Born: 6/10/1987
    Played for Team: 2007 to 2010
    How young is too young to play in the NFL? Amobi Akoye was just 19 when the Texans drafted him in 2007. That made him the youngest player in the NFL since the 1960s. Okoye played like a veteran who had been in the league for a decade. After his first four games, he was voted Rookie of the Month.

  • Steve Slaton— Running Back
    Born: 1/4/1986
    Played with Team: 2008 to 2010
    The Texans chose Steve Slaton in the third round of the 2008 draft. He made them happy that they did. As a rookie, Slaton rushed for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll on him in the years that followed.

More Fun Facts

Chester Pitts signed this card for a friend. He’s not only talented, he’s a good guy, too. (Score/Panini America)

  • MUSIC MAN
    From 2002 to 2009, lineman Chester Pitts suited up for the Texans game after game. He set a team record by appearing in 114 in a row. Before that, Pitts thought of himself as an oboe player, not a football player. It was only in college that he played football for the first time.

  • SMALL WONDER
    In 2003 and 2004, the team’s main kickoff and punt returner was J.J. Moses. At 5′ 6″, Moses was the shortest player in the NFL at the time. He gained more than 1,500 yards both seasons.

  • HANGING CHAD
    The Texans’ first punter was Chad Stanley. Known for the good “hangtime” on his kicks, he led the NFL in punts twice and set a record with 114 in 2002. When Stanley was named Special Teams Player of the Week in November 2003, it marked the first time a Texan had won a league award.

League Leaders

I’m not sure most NFL realize just how good Andre Johnson has been for the Texans. It takes three guys to cover him sometimes! (Tops, Inc.)

  • RUSHING YARDS
    2010 — Arian Foster — 1,616

  • RECEIVING YARDS
    2008 — Andre Johnson — 1,575
    2009 — Andre Johnson — 1,569

  • PASSING YARDS
    2009 — Matt Schaub — 4,770

  • RUSHING TDs
    2012 — Arian Foster — 15
    2010 — Arian Foster — 16

  • RECEIVING TDs
    2017 — DeAndre Hopkins — 13

  • PASSING TDs
    No Texan has led the league in passing touchdowns.

  • POINTS
    2018 — Ka’imi Fairbairn — 150

  • INTERCEPTIONS
    No Texan has led the league in interceptions.

  • SACKS
    2012 — J..J. Watt — 20.5
    2015 — J..J. Watt — 17.5

Playing for the Championship

SEASON GAME OPPONENT SCORE

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