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.
Alfie Donastigan: Dear Drew, Is it true that we clinch the AFC South on Sunday if we beat the Dolphins?
DD: No. To win the division this Sunday, the Texans would need to beat Miami but also have the Colts lose at Denver. With four games remaining in the regular season, here's what needs to happen for the Texans to win their 8th division title in franchise history:
1) Win two games
2) Win 1 game and have Indianapolis lose 1 game
3) Indianapolis loses 2 games
But let's just worry about getting a win over the Dolphins, first and foremost. The playoffs will happen if Houston takes care of its own business.
Thomas Treadway: Dear Drew, What "problem" on the offense was the main one to be addressed in the bye week?
DD: Thomas, I'm certain after the week to do a bit more self-scouting, and scheming for the Dolphins defense and whatnot, Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik and the staff will have some new wrinkles and details layered into what they do. But Head Coach DeMeco Ryans explained on Monday how "getting back to the basics and fundamentals of ball" is the overriding necessity for the entire team right now.
"It's us just executing on those simple things of football," Ryans said. "It doesn't change. At this time of the year, it's not so much about the scheme. Everybody knows what everybody is doing."
***Thanks for the question, Thomas. You won Texas Lottery Scratchoffs. Someone from the organization will soon be in contact with you.***
*Daniel Patterson: Do you have an update on Christian Harris? Will he be back this year? *DD: Harris practiced on Monday. He's missed all of the preseason and regular season with a leg injury, but getting back on the field this week was a nice step forward. The expectation is that he'll play this season, but there's still not been a timeline set on that first game back for him. Ryans was happy to see the linebacker with the squad.
"He looks like himself physically and it is just a matter of missing a lot of football and just a matter of him getting back in and getting those mental reps," Ryans said. "Nothing can help you do football except playing football. So he just has to get out there and get those physical reps of hearing a call, getting lined up."
Amanda Bonilla: Dear Drew, What kind of music do you like?
DD: Stuff from the 1990's. And the 80's. And Stevie Wonder and Robert Earl Keen. And definitely Christmas music. I have a bangin' Christmas playlist.
Rhoda Clark: What do you think about the team after the bye week? Do you think they will make it to the playoffs and if so how far do you think they will go? Thank for your time.
DD: Thanks a lot for the question, Rhoda. I'm excited to see what the Texans will do in this final push. They'll be a bit healthier after the week off. I still don't think we've seen what this team can do when it all comes together, and I believe that's an encouraging thing to believe about a team that's three games over .500.
As for the playoffs, yes, I think the Texans will make the playoffs. I also think if they're playing their best football, they'll be a tough team to beat.
