2012 Houston Texans Preview

2012 Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have been a team close to my heart for many years now. I have been picking them to break out and make the playoffs over and over again, and last year they finally proved me right. A solid 10-6 season secured the Texans the AFC South title and a playoff berth, in which they won their first playoff game and were competitive in a loss against the Ravens. And they played their last few games with a rookie, no less, TJ Yates. This year, Matt Schaub is back, Andre Johnson is healthy again, and even though Mario Williams was hurt (and now gone), this defense immediately became one of the fiercer groups in the league. The Houston Texans are big favorites to win the South again, as they should be, and also one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. The only question for this team (besides health) is whether they can keep improving and show that they have the stuff that champions are made of. A division title would be unsurprising; but this year we are going to see exactly how high the ceiling for this team is.

Offense

The formula is simple: run. The Texans have the best running back tandem in the NFL in my opinion, as Arian Foster and Ben Tate have great chance to each break 1,000 yards this season. I think that they will accomplish this rare feat, because they both have great talent, and Houston will run all day on opponents. Arian Foster is my boy, and I think he will have a huge year, breaking 2,000 yards from scrimmage. The question on this offense is the passing game. Matt Schaub is no doubt talented, but is he ready to lead this team to the Super Bowl? I think that he is, but by no means does that mean that I think he will. This offense is still incomplete, because of the lack of depth at wide receiver. They have a physical freak in Andre Johnson, but recently the injury bug has hit him, and it is questionable whether he will return to his elite status. If he does get hurt, there isn’t a lot of talent after him. Who are they going to throw to, Kevin Walter? What about their seemingly always injured tight end, Owen Daniels? No, it seems that if Andre goes down, the passing attack will go down with him. But still, there is no question that this offense will attack through the running game.

Defense

In 2010, this defense was a laughingstock, sporting the then-worst passing defense the world had ever seen. This is mostly forgotten now though, for two reasons. One, the Patriots and Packers had embarrassing defenses themselves last year, but they could afford it because of their supreme offenses. But second, and more importantly, under the direction of Wade Phillips, the defense completely turned itself around and became a force to be reckoned with. They have studs at every level, with JJ Watt anchoring the defensive line, Brian Cushing leading the linebacking crew, and Jonathan Joseph holding down the secondary. This unit had a remarkable turnaround last year, and should be primed for another outstanding campaign, but this time, no one will be surprised by them. The loss of Mario Williams could hurt, but he was injured a lot of last year anyway, so they are used to playing without him. The Houston Texans are arguably the most complete team in football on both sides of the ball, and we’ll see if they will show it in 2012.

Schedule

The 2011 Houston Texans finished 10-6, a mark that could have been even better if many of their star players had not been injured, but a record that nonetheless helped them win the division without any real threat. This team is different than the rest of the elite teams throughout the league because not only do they have the ability to outscore teams, but they can shut them down as well. We’ll see if that ability can translate to the field this year.

Week 1: W vs MIA

Week 2: W at JAC

Week 3: L at DEN (they’re going to get Peyton-ed)

Week 4: W vs TEN

Week 5: W at NYJ

Week 6: W vs GB

Week 7: W vs BAL (HUGE game)

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: W vs BUF

Week 10: L at CHI (sleeper Super Bowl matchup?...)

Week 11: W vs JAC

Week 12: W at DET

Week 13: L at TEN

Week 14: L at NE

Week 15: W vs IND

Week 16: W vs MIN

Week 17: W at IND

The way I see it, this team could go 12-4. However, this is the ceiling of what their season could be; I can see another loss or two in that three game stretch against NYJ, GB, and BAL. They finish with a cupcake last three games, with two against Indy and one against lowly Minnesota. They will also have great experience against top teams, with battles against DEN, GB, BAL, CHI, and NE. There are certain games that jump off the page to me this year, and that Week 7 game is one of them. The matchup with the Ravens is one that I think will decide the number two seed in the AFC playoffs this year. Houston has the advantage at home, and I think they will pull it off. My next preview will be for the Indianapolis Colts, in the first year of their new era. Comments and feedback are appreciated! Time for that bold prediction.

Bold Prediction: Arian Foster and Ben Tate will each rush for 1,000 yards this season.