The third preseason game is normally what gives us the best and most accurate preview to the regular season. So what kind of picture did the Texans paint in their game against the Saints? In short, a highly promising one.
Watt Is A Freakishly Talented, Unfathomably Nice Guy
Every time he steps onto the field for practice or a game, we can’t help but be in awe of the dominating and impressive athlete that J.J. Watt is. But what may be more impressive is Watt’s genuinely nice personality.
Before the game against the Saints even started, Watt took the field, football in hand, searching for any and all Texans fans and children in attendance to have a catch with. Sure enough, he spent a large chunk of time going around the entire stadium having a catch with all of the young fans in attendance, even the ones in the nosebleeds.
That’s where the freakish athlete part comes back into play. Watt launched the football all the way to the top section of the Superdome just to make sure no one was left out of the fun. Though he didn’t play a down, his presence was certainly felt and admired.
Hoyer In Command
This was the first appearance for Brian Hoyer as the official starting quarterback for the Texans, after being given the role earlier in 
the week. He didn’t disappoint, going 7-of-11 for 82 yards, and leading the Texans to 10 points in three drives.
Hoyer looked calm and collected under center, and that poise and stability reflected in the Houston offense, which was able to put up some decent points in the game. The offense looks to be heading in the right direction with Hoyer at the helm.
Mallet Rebounds From Embarrassing Week
It wasn’t the greatest week for Ryan Mallet. First he was told that he had lost the quarterback competition to Brian Hoyer, and then he missed practice because he overslept.
The error was truly an embarrassing one for Mallet, and put him in some seriously hot water with Head Coach Bill O’Brien. Luckily for Mallet, the blunder didn’t mean a demotion from the backup role.
He performed well in the game against the Saints, connecting with Jaelen Strong for a touchdown, but the immaturity was still pretty apparent.
That Defense, Though
I don’t think it’s possible to say this enough: The Houston Texans defense is really good. Seriously. It’s stupid amounts of good.
The high-flying Saints’ offense was limited to just 13 points in the game, and only six points in the entire first half. Again, that was still without Watt, Wilfork and Clowney! It’s hard to draw absolute conclusions about a team from the preseason, but it’s a pretty safe bet that the Texans’ defense will wreak some absolute havoc this season.
Red Zone Stand
Few quarterbacks cause defenses more trouble than Drew Brees. In his only series in the game, Brees took his Saints deep into Texans territory, and made it into the Red Zone.
However, for Brees and the Saints, that’s where it ended, as the Texans forced them to kick a field goal. Stopping Brees and his offense from converting more than a field goal in the Red Zone is an impressive feat.
The Saints made another trip into the Red Zone later in the game, leading to no points thanks to one of the Saints’ two turnovers. You can often decipher much about a defense’s identity by looking at their ability to make stands in the Red Zone. If that’s the case, then the Texans’ defense can be characterized as a composed and gritty one.
Successful Dress Rehearsal; Bring On Opening Night (Day)
The third preseason game is seen as the true dress rehearsal for all of the starters and the team dynamics before the season starts. The starters have shown growth and composure. The backups all have strong potential. The offense has been able to produce, and the defense is scary good.
Houston seems ready for opening night (or rather, opening day) on Sunday, September 13th at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
