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.
Artemus Singleton: Dear Drew, Who do you think will be our most difficult adversary this season?
DD: It's easiest to start with the defending Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs have the best player in the NFL (QB Patrick Mahomes) and they're playing at home, so they're the first natural choice.
But don't forget, Houston and KC square off the week AFTER the Texans host the Dolphins. For a stretch last season, Miami looked invincible.
The week after the road game at the Chiefs, the Texans are back at NRG Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens, who beat them in the 2023 regular season opener, as well as in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Sprinkle in the Bills at home, the Cowboys and Packers on the road, and all the divisional matchups, and it's a hard schedule.
But if Aaron Rodgers is healthy, and the defense is anywhere near as nasty as it was last fall, I also think that road game at the New York Jets will be a tough one.
The Jets and Chiefs are my two choices for "most difficult adversary".
Chris Garcia: Dear Drew, Am I crazy for wanting to pick C.J. Stroud as my starting fantasy QB this season?
DD: Of course not. He was lights out as a rookie, averaging an NFL-best 273.9 passing yards per game, and threw 23 touchdowns to just five intercpeptions.
Now, he's been in the offensive system for a year, and all the key minds on the coaching staff are back for Year 2. Plus, the club has added a few new pass-catching weapons.
This could be a banner year for Stroud.
Voni Weingart: Dear Drew, I have a ticket for the first training day on Tuesday, July 23rd. How does this 70-year old get your autograph, along with others? Thank you for all you do.
DD: Thanks Voni! Just holler when you see me on the field or walking from Kirby onto the practice field and I'll say hello. Being near the area the players walk back to the stadium, or along the front row of the bleachers on the practice field are the two best spots to snag a player autograph. I can't promise you'll get a specific player, but I guarantee you'll come away with a few autographs.
Greg Williams: Dear Drew, With the receivers Stroud has, how many combined yards do you think Joe Mixon might get this season?
DD: Terrific question, Greg. I'll say somewhere around 1,300.
Before I explain why, there are a lot of variables affecting that number. How will Mixon adjust to the new offense? How much of a contribution will the other backs in the offense make? What sort of run/pass balance will we see in Year 2 of the Stroud offense? There are quite a few more questions to ponder as well.
Ultimately, though, I think Mixon will likely do what he did when he was healthy in Cincinnati. Aside from his rookie season in 2017, and a 2020 that saw him play just seven games due to different injuries, Mixon was healthy and logged double-digit start totals in the five other seasons. In those years, he averaged 1,072 yards on the ground, and 343 receiving yards. I believe he'll be able to do that and perhaps more in this offense.
