I don't think the AFC South is nearly that strong (but I hope I'm wrong). I see the Colts winning 11 or 12 and the most anyone else winning being 9. I see at least two teams at or below 7 wins; the Texans will be one of those if they do not take care of business against the Titans and Jaguars.
10-6 for the Texans is a bit bold. we've looked good so far this preseason, but i bet every opponent we think is easy on our schedule is thinking the same about us. the line on the Texans is 6.5 wins. i'd definitely take the over on that. 9 wins at the most. no playoffs.
Why do you say that? Our first two games are vs KC and at Carolina. Both very winnable in fact, we should be favored in both. KC will probably not have LJ ready at full speed and Huard is a less mobile version of Trent Green. Carolina? Well, we can only dream DC will be starting somehow. If you win those two you are now 2-0. Worst case you split the next two you are now 3-1 hosting Miami. 4-1 or 3-2 worst case scenario to start the first five. Outside of NO, SD and Denver who on this list really spells trouble other than Indy? The Texans will probably stub their toe in Cleveland. You know late November and Lake Erie generally don't mix well historically for both Houston teams. My prediction is based upon upgrades at just about every position and key veteran pickups plus, Jacoby Jones, who could be this years' Marques Colston sensation and a definite Offensive ROY candidate. A lot of this will also factor on the Texans ability to control the line of scrimmage, duh! Getting to the QB (Mario needs to get double digit sack totals and force double teams to free plays up for his teammates) plus, plug up the run gaps on defense vice the O-Line give Schaub ample time to go through his progressions and not have to check down to safety valves every other play. Ahman Green can and will have a lot to say about how far this team rises this year. To potentially beat teams like Indy, and SD you better be able to sustain drives and eat clock. Yeah, I could be wrong about this one but, I think this #8 unlike the previous one is worth the risk but, also I am STILL from Missouri (the Show Me state) until they put it together in the regular season and seriously compete for a playoff spot. This telling comparison stat will go venture far as to where we wind up in the standings. Schaub sacked <30 times = respectable offensive team, sacked <20 times = good offensive team. On defense <30 sacks = dreadful D, 30 to 45 sacks = respectful D, more than 45 we may have something here. We'll see, I am cautiously optimistic though this is the year that the Texans get some respect in the national media.
Yes, that may be. On the whole, I'm just elated that it at least appears we have a REAL football team, not a semi-pro or even popwarner retread team that at least gives us a fighting chance to win mostly every week. To go from laughingstock to respectable and even on the verge becoming playoff bound when two years ago this team looked absolutely hopeless. 9-7, our first winning season I can live with that.
LOL, stayed up all night writing this essay huh... I agree, KC and @ Carolina are winnable. But David Carr won't start that game, and that will be Carolina's home opener... that game will be a tough one to win. And I doubt we'll be favored in both games, Carolina was just last seaon's preseason SuperBowl favorite. And if we are favored in the KC game at home, it'd only be by like 3 points or so. I can't reply to the rest of that long story.
I was encouraged by the way the team brought it against the Cowboys. Going into the season I want to see them do well but I still have guarded optimism. I do feel better about this team than I did last year though.
Yes, last year Carolina WAS a preseason SB favorite but, their D took some major hits with injuries and inconsistent play. Delhomme is not showing near the acumen that he did a few years ago when he spearheaded the near amazing comeback vs NE in the Houston SB. Without, their star, Steve Smith at WR, their offense is ordinary at best and lackluster at worst. They have issues with their running game as well. I know DC will not be starting the game, it was rather a demented wish to see how well We could wrekk the Carr-man. Overall, Carolina was plagued by inconsistent play last season as well as in this years preseason. I think both teams upcoming (KC and Carolina) are ripe for the picking if the Texans take care of their business.
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Any injuries to the OL, Green or (God forbid) QB and all bets are off. But I feel comfortable going with 6 or 7 wins. Maybe 8 if the planets line up right for them. Still not sold on Mario W however and the DL play will be crucial in order to protect the (somewhat) shaky secondary. Jury is out on Akoye but he did make some nice tackles against the Cryboys. He's showing more at this stage than did MW. All I want to see is for the Texans to take a another step forward toward respectability and I'll be a happy camper.
Agreed, but how many other teams can you say that about? How many teams can compete all season long with their backup QB and/or RB? And to be honest, Sage has done nothing but played well when asked to. Yes, he's only played against 2nd-stringers, but keep in mind he's only played WITH 2nd-stringers too. I'll take him over 2 3rds of the other backups in the league. Agreed. I'm not ready to jump on the 10-6 playoff bandwagon, but I do see this team being a WHOLE lot more fun to watch this year. As much as I love them, they've almost been unwatchable for the last 2 years, until they started showing some signs at the end of last season. Go Texans! I want to see HillBoy be a happy camper! Just to see if it's actually possible.
Please stop using "we" and "we'll" and "us" when referring to the Texans. You have proven yourself to be in no way a fan. I'm fine with being realistic about a team, but you just enjoy crapping on other's optimistic opinions about the Texans way too much.
I'll take us being an average team smack down in the middle at 8-8, but I think 9 or even 10 wins is there... As was said, we came a long way from being the joke in their town,...hopefully we will be taken lightly and that enhances the 9, 10 wins I am thinking...
