MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch:

RB Arian Foster - Foster has had an unbelievable season so far compiling a league high 1230 yards on the ground and another 479 yards through the air. The second year undrafted back has transformed the Texans' offense from a one dimensional passing attack (ranked 30th in rushing last year) to a balanced dynamic offense. The Texans need a big game out of Foster tonight if they want a chance at winning the game.

DE Mario Williams - The 6'6" 295 lb defensive end has everything you look for in a defensive playmaker. Williams has had some big games this year, but has also disappeared at times. The Texans need Williams to play big and take some pressure off of the extremely porous secondary.

WR Jacoby Jones - When you play the Texans all the focus is generally on WR Andre Johnson, and rightfully so, as Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL. With S Ed Reed and the Ravens' secondary focusing primarily on Johnson, look for Jones to possibly have a break out game receiving or on special teams, where he returns both punts and kickoffs.

Key Matchup: QB Joe Flacco vs Texans Secondary - To say the Texans' secondary has been miserable may be an understatement. They have been carved up by pretty much every quarterback they have faced. Flacco is a good quarterback, but if they let him put up MVP type numbers they will not have a very good chance in this game considering how good the Ravens defense has been. The Texans front seven needs to pressure Flacco (he has been sacked 17 times in the last 5 games) and the secondary needs to step up and make plays when it matters tonight.

Why the Texans Will Win - Their offense can be as explosive as any. The Texans have shown this year that they can go up against some of the best defenses (Jets, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders) and still put up points. If QB Matt Schaub and their other playmakers can come out and play to their potential they will be able to score on the Ravens. The Ravens are more talented overall, but the Texans have some great individual talents such as Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, and Brian Cushing, all who can just take over a game. They need some big plays from each of them tonight.

Prediction: Texans 24 Ravens 20

MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch

LB Brian Cushing- After missing four games because of suspension, last years defensive rookie of the year will be back on the field for his third start. The Texans defense, which is last in the NFL in yards allowed, is in desperate need of someone to step up and be a playmaker. With Cushing getting two games under his belt and a bye week to help get him back to form, I expect to see him all over the field making plays in this game.

DE Mario Williams - The key to beating Peyton Manning is getting a lot of pressure on him. That is exactly why the Texans used the first overall pick in the 2006 draft on DE Mario Williams. They need a big game out of Williams tonight, a couple of sacks would go a long way.

RB Arian Foster - Everyone trashed the Colts defense after Foster lit them up in week one and ran for 231 yards. I would expect the Colts defense to come out with a chip on their shoulder and do everything in their power to stop him. It will be interesting to see if Foster can still have a big game against the Colts porous defense.

Key Matchup: WR Andre Johnson vs Colts Secondary

Last game against the Colts, Andre Johnson was held to only 33 yards receiving. Since then Andre Johnson, who in my opinion is the best receiver in the NFL, has been dominant. Even with ankle problems Johnson has put up big numbers. I would be shocked if the Colts defense could shut down Johnson again. Look for him to have a big game against a Colts defense that does not have anyone that can match up with the 6'3" 225 lbs burner.

Why the Texans Will Win: The Texans were 1-15 against the Colts before beating them in week one. I think that win really boosted their confidence and got the monkey off of their back. The Texans should have a different swagger going into this game. It also helps that the Colts will be extremely thin on both sides of the ball tonight, with many key players down with injuries or questionable for the game. Look for this game to be a shootout between two great offenses and two poor defenses. The Texans will be able to pull this one off because they can both run and pass the ball effectively and they have a more talented team tonight.

Prediction: Texans 38 Colts 28

Houston Texans 2010: Schaub Looking for Help on the Ground

Last Years Record            9-7

Wins: Titans, Raiders, Bengals, 49ers, Bills, Seahawks, Rams, Dolphins, Patriots

Losses: Jets, Jaguars (x2), Cardinals, Colts (x2), Titans

Biggest Playmaker            Andre Johnson

WR, Miami, Drafted #3, 8^th Year

Andre Johnson is widely regarded as the top wide receiver in the game, and rightfully so.  He has led the league in receiving yards each of the past two years and was recently rewarded with a nice, big contract extension, making him the highest paid receiver in the NFL.   

Impact Player            Mario Williams

DE, NC State, Drafted #1, 5^th Year

Mario Williams had “bust” potential after his rookie season but turned things around, amassing 35 sacks over the past three seasons.  He has great size for a DE at 6’6” and 285, has not missed a game in four years and has 8 forced fumbles the past three seasons.

Biggest Offseason Addition            Kareem Jackson

CB, Alabama, Drafted #20, Rookie

Kareem Jackson was the Texans first round pick, filling a huge need for them.  With the loss of starting CB Dunta Robinson to free agency the Texans needed someone to step up as the starting corner, and Jackson has been the guy since day 1.  Many questioned taking Jackson over Boise State CB Kyle Wilson, but Jackson is ready to be an NFL starter.  He may endure some growing pains in year one, but time will tell whether taking him over Wilson was a good move.

Biggest Offseason Loss            Dunta Robinson

CB, South Carolina, Drafted #10, 7^th year

After playing his first six years with the Texans, Robinson was not signed due to injury concerns.  The Texans did not want to risk a long-term contract with a guy who has missed 12 games over the past three seasons.  Robinson is considered a very solid #1 corner, and if Jackson can step in early and play well the loss of Robinson will not affect them.  Robinson has failed to produce the turnovers the Texans would have liked to see with only 13 interceptions in six years of work.

Biggest Draft Steal            Dorin Dickerson

WR, Pittsburgh, Drafted #227, Rookie

Dorin Dickerson was a tight end at the NFL combine and blew all of the other tight ends out of the water.  He ran a 4.40 40 yard dash (better than all but one WR), vertical jumped 43.5 inches and broad jumped 10’5.”  He has recently dropped weight and switched to WR, now coming in around 6’2” and 222 pounds.  He has good hands and is big and strong enough to create mismatches against defensive backs but fast enough to play well on LB’s.

Biggest Draft Reach            None

The Texans had a solid draft.  I really like the Dickerson and RB Ben Tate picks, but was a little hesitant about drafting Darryl Sharpton early in the fourth round.  However, it appears that he has impressed the coaches during camp and is fighting for a starting spot, a tremendous value as a fourth rounder.

Offseason Grade            A-

The Texans had a very good offseason this year.  They address their, in my opinion, two biggest needs at CB and RB with their first two picks in the draft.  Ben Tate was expected to compete for the starting spot until he was placed on injured reserve.  They even brought in competition for their kicker, signing Neil Rackers, who will likely be the Texans’ kicker this year.  Finally, they addressed the loss of G Chester Pitts by signing the versatile G/C Wade Smith.

X-Factor            Run Game

Given the injury to rookie RB Ben Tate, the Texans’ rushing attack is looking very similar to last year.  The Texans were carried by their passing attack last year, rushing for only 1,475 yards and 3.5 yards per carry (with 11 fumbles).  If the Texans want to overthrow the Colts from their reign at the top of AFC South they will need a much improved rushing attack.

Name You Should Know            Demeco Ryans

ILB, Alabama, Drafted #33, 5^th Year

Demeco Ryans has been sensational for the Texans, yet does not get a tremendous amount of publicity.  Ryans has made two pro bowls in his fours years and has started every game since he was drafted.  He had an unbelievable rookie season, being names Defensive ROY, accumulating 155 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception, and has recorded 112 tackles or more every year since then.

Rising Star            Matt Schaub

QB, Virginia, Drafted #90, 7^th Year

Matt Schaub is a star.  A year ago he led the league in passing yards, was named to his first pro bowl and was the MVP of that game.  Most importantly, he has improved in almost every statistical category over the past three years.  He essentially carried the Texans to a 9-7 record with the third worst running attack in the NFL.  His major concern is his health, as he missed 10 games the two seasons before this past one. 

Offensive Outlook            B+

The Texans boast a dynamic passing attack, thanks largely due to the Matt Schaub-Andre Johnson connection.  They averaged 383 yards per game in 2009, fourth in the NFL, despite the third worst rushing attack in the league.  The injury to rookie RB Ben Tate is a major setback for the Texans, as they must improve their rushing attack with the same crew as last year.  The offensive line is solid in pass protection, allowing 25 sacks a year ago, but must open some big holes to get Arian Foster and Steve Slaton through.  The performance of WR Kevin Walter and TE Owen Daniel’s return from injury will be important to watch to take some pressure (and double teams) off of Andre Johnson.

Defensive Outlook            B-

The Texans defense is powered by their linebackers, featuring two former defensive rookie of the years, Demeco Ryans and Brian Cushing.  Cushing will be out four games for “overtraining” and Xavier Adibi will need to step up in his place.  The secondary is a concern for the Texans, feature young corners and an injury prone Eugene Wilson.  Mario Williams has been very strong the past three seasons and the Texans are looking for Amobi Okoye to live up to his first-round potential.

Special Teams Outlook            B

After a miserable season by K Kris Brown the team signed veteran Neil Rackers to “challenge” him.  Veteran Matt Turk is consistent, with 24 punts pinned inside the 20 to only 6 touchbacks in 2009.  Speedy rookie WR Trindon Holliday may be the punt and kick returner this season.

Projected 2010 Record            10-6

I would have loved to see how the Texans’ run game would fare with the addition of rookie RB Ben Tate, but we will have to wait another year.  The Texans will certainly contend for a playoff spot and I think they will get there as long as they get a bit more production on the ground.  I can definitely see them as a wild card team with Schaub and Johnson carrying them.  The success of the defense depends a lot on the young corners.