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Bill O'Brien began the week by saying that the Houston Texans would play their starters in Week 17. He must have changed his mind since then as Houston will sit starters, including Deshaun Watson, versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Texans expected to rest multiple starters against Titans in advance of likely playoff game next Saturday, currently slated to host Bills. Among key players who could be rested: Deshaun Watson, Laremy Tunsil, Bradley Roby, DeAndre Hopkins. A.J. McCarron would step in for Watson
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 29, 2019
With Watson sitting out, he finishes the season with 3,852 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The dynamic quarterback also tacked on another 413 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Besides Watson, the Texans are expected to rest Laremy Tunsil, Bradley Roby, and DeAndre Hopkins. This isn't the greatest of news for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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The Steelers need the Titans to lose on Sunday for them to keep their playoff hopes alive. But if most of the starters are sitting out, it could make it easier for Ryan Tannehill and company to secure a victory for Tennessee.
On the other side, A.J. McCarron is expected to make the start under center for the Texans. McCarron hasn't started in a game in the NFL since the 2015 season—when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Texans can't improve or decrease their playoff seeding with a win or loss on Sunday. Therefore, O'Brien realizes it is best to make sure his key players are healthy when the postseason begins in January.
As of this moment, the Texans are projected to host the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs. It goes without saying that Watson and the Texans are hoping for a different outcome than last year's Wild Card Game versus the Indianapolis Colts.
