Watson learning from Verlander

#Astros Verlander on his relationship with #Texans QB Deshaun Watson: he’s a cool dude.” #TakeItBack They have dinner and dive into doing great things. pic.twitter.com/Kmx4600ef8

— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 17, 2019

Among the things in this amazing Deshaun Watson article is his relationship with Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander.

QB1 taking plenty of cues from SP1.

They eat dinner and watch film together and Watson has tried to learn from Verlander's calm.

Watson's demeanor is evident. The joy is short. The failure even shorter on his memory. He might be getting ready for the Colts but he will be watching his buddy try to close out the Yankees for sure.

Red zone resurgence

Watson. Fells. Touchdown!#ATLvsHOU pic.twitter.com/30jznEW3AM

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 6, 2019

Last year the Texans ranked 29th in the NFL with about 50 percent of their red zone looks going for touchdowns. This year the Texans are the best in football with almost 72 percent of red zone possessions going for six.

This. Is. Incredible. Huge credit to Bill O'Brien and Deshaun Watson for getting on the same page.

Not only is it better, it looks EASY sometimes. They are really in a groove.

Oh, and by the way, Colts offense is smack dab in the middle in the same stat. Their defense? 30th in the NFL. It is a GREAT matchup for the Texans this week. Just have to get into the red zone.

Hopkins stopper out of commission?

Pierre Desir interception of Watson pic.twitter.com/4MJ22xi3ow

— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 30, 2018

Pierre Desir didn't practice on Thursday. His status for Sunday is up in the air with a hamstring injury.

Last year in three games with the Colts against the Texans Desir allowed six catches on 12 targets for 99 yards. He intercepted the above ball and added two pass breakups. Now, it is worth noting Hopkins was banged up in the second and third showdown. Now, it seems Desir is hurt.

If he cant go, along with fellow secondary member Kenny Moore and pass rusher Justin Houston, the Colts might be in trouble from a talent standpoint in slowing down the Texans passing attack.

Halloween Hilton is as scary as can be

Happy T.Y. Hilton week!

Career vs. Texans:
3-78-1
4-111-1
7-121-3
8-78-0
9-223-1
4-50-0
5-88-0
3-29-0
3-49-0
9-115-1
5-175-2
3-14-0
4-115-0
9-199-0
5-85-0

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 16, 2019

Eugene Marquis "T. Y." Hilton has been an absolute terror for the Texans to cover in his career. Now, lets point out a lot of this was with Andrew Luck tossing him the ball.

In 2017 Jacoby Brissett was the quarterback throwing him the ball. One of the best games, the 5-175-2 game, was with Brissett tossing him the ball.

Regardless, he's a monster. He can change the game. He has had great games with Johnathan Joseph guarding him and it would seem if Bradley Roby can't go it would be Joseph on Hilton again.

Hilton could be a big key if the Colts get the ground game going too. If Marlon Mack is forcing the defense to creep up, it will be much easier for Hilton to creep up. If the front seven can slow Mack without safety help, that leaves a little more help for Hilton.

Last stand for the right leg?

Bill O'Brien says the kicking operation needs to improve, when asked about Ka'imi Fairbairn's missed kicks. Said Fairbairn knows he has to make those and they will work on it this week. #Texans

— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) October 14, 2019

Ka'imi Fairbairn hasn't been solid this season. He needs to be better. There has been a lot of speculation new holder Bryan Anger has been part of the issue. It is worth noting a penalty wiped out a earlier Fairbairn miss in the Saints game in the first week of the season.

I spoke with former NFL kicker Nick "Nick the Kick" Lowery this week. He didn't seem to think the conversation around the laces was that important to the situation.

"That's overrated," he said. "It does help to not kick the laces, but it's not a reason to miss. If it's a long field goal, it might take a little bit of distance off. It really doesn't take accuracy off if you keep your form."

That's just one kicker but it is interesting the more you read the less the laces feel in the level of importance. Not that it isn't important, but the less and less they are important.

Just watch this

A powerful story of perseverance.@DeAndreHopkins and his mother share an unbreakable bond forged by love and survival.

(via @ESPN Cover Story) pic.twitter.com/P102Rd9MJL

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 17, 2019

Awesome. I knew some of things already but a great telling of an amazing story and where Hopkins comes from.