2010 Houston Texans Team Preview/Predictions
With NFL football just a short time away, Cappers Picks Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team NFL previews for those of us who can’t wait. Bet on the Super Bowl winner, plus Conference and Divisional winners.
What are you waiting for use our insider knowledge today to gamble on all the NFL Football Futures in our top online sportsbooks today.
2009 Record: 9-7
ATS: 7-7-2
If you guessed that the team with the most passing yards in the NFL last year came from the AFC South, you wouldn’t be alone. However, if you knew that team was the Houston Texans, you’d earn a gold star. The Houston Texans today have become what Arizona was a few years ago – that “it” team about which everybody says, “This is the year they get to the playoffs.”
Then, for whatever reason, the “it” team fizzles.
In 2009 such was the story of the Texans’ season, as high expectations led to perhaps the ultimate punch to the gut when Houston clawed its way to a 9-7 mark, only to have the tie-breaker go against them. This expansion franchise ended up on the outside of the playoffs looking in… again.
However, if quarterback Matt Schaub’s career trajectory in Houston continues on the path it’s been following, you can pencil the Texans in for the playoffs right now. He’s not only improved every year, he’s improved dramatically. It doesn’t hurt that he’s surrounded by maybe the best receiver in the AFC in Andre Johnson, a serviceable complement in Kevin Walker, and a fantastic tight end in Owen Daniels.
All these ingredients add up to a passing game that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Where Houston needs to improve on offense is in the backfield, specifically in the area between running back Steve Slaton’s wrists and the tips of his fingers. Fumble-itis hurt both Slaton and the team last year. Running back Ryan Moats was good, but hardly enough to make up the difference.
This is likely the reason behind the selection of Auburn running back Ben Tate in the second round of the draft this year. It’s also likely the reason for the heaps of criticism Houston’s offensive line drew for its run blocking.
However, the Texans’ offensive line doesn’t lack for talent, it just needs to function better as a unit. Given the ability of this team on offense, Houston’s success in 2010 will depend largely on the defense, a unit which will start the year hamstrung thanks to the suspension of last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Brian Cushing, due to his steroid problem.
Losing him to start the season is a huge blow to this team, since its defensive strength lies in its linebackers. This, combined with the loss of shut-down corner Daunta Robinson (Atlanta), forces not only rookie cornerback Kareem Jackson to step up immediately, but all the members of the defensive line (pro-bowler Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, Connor Barwin, Shaun Cody, etc.) to generate far more pressure than they did last year (Houston ranked 25th in the league in sacks).
Such is the lot of talented teams on the playoff fence: If they maximize that talent and take advantage of the opportunities they’re given, they’ll end up in the post-season.
If they don’t, they can’t overcome the bad bounces and breaks and they inevitably find themselves again wondering “what if” while they sit at home in January.
Yet if ever there was a year to make their move, this is it for Houston.
The Texans match up with the NFC East out of conference, but they won’t have to deal with Washington or New York in the winter, and they get to host the war for the Lone Star state at home against Dallas.
Texans 2010 Outlook
Watch for the Texans to finish above .500 and be a team no one in the AFC wants to face in the playoffs this year. Houston’s destiny is truly in its own hands.
Texans 2010 Futures
Super Bowl Odds: +3250
Conference Odds: +1415
AFC South Odds: +375
2010 Texans Predictions
Place they’ll finish in AFC South: 2nd
Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 5th
Over/Under Season Wins Prediction: Over 8.5 Wins
JOIN JUSTBET SPORTSBOOK TODAY – GRAB A 60% DEPOSIT BONUS WHEN YOU CLICK HERE NOW AND TELL THEM CAPPERSPICKS.COM SENT YOU!!!
Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
