Texans' HC O'Brien to take over play-calling duties in 2017

Using PFF data, we preview potentially what the 2017 Texans offense could look like with O'Brien acting as offensive coordinator by looking at what he did with the Patriots in 2011.

• The Texans' offensive success rate in 2016 was just 31 percent, compared to the NFL average of 35 percent. The Patriots offensive success rate in 2011 was 40 percent (offensive success is defined as gaining 40 percent of required yardage on first down, 60 percent on second down, and the entire required yardage on third or fourth).
• The Texans' used the “11” personnel (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB) 59 percent of the time in 2016, same as the NFL average. In 2011, O'Brien's Patriots used “11” personnel just 18 percent of the time, while they used “12” personnel (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB) 54 percent of the time.
• Trick plays or formations: In 2016 the Texans had 104 plays with a 6th offensive lineman, 4 jet sweeps and 2 reverse/end arounds.  In 2011, the Patriots had 181 plays with a 6th offensive lineman, 10 plays with a defensive player on offense (LB lined up at FB, etc.), 6 end arounds and 1 reverse.
• In 2011, O'Brien had the Patriots lined up in “02” personnel (4 WR) on 75 snaps, but in 2016 the Texans lined up in this package just six times.
• The NFL has changed significantly since 2011 and the Texans do not have Tom Brady operating the offense, yet it will be interesting to see if there'll be any similarities in what the 2017 Texans do with what the 2011 Patriots did under Bill O'Brien.