Texans Rundown prior to SNF (11/8)

A look at the Texans prior to showdown with Bears

The Chicago Bears host the Houston Texans at Soldier Field this week on Sunday Night Football. Both teams hold records of 7-1, the Texans leading the AFC, the Bears second in the NFC only to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Many are calling this matchup the best game of the season up to this point and a possible sneak peak to the Super Bowl.

The Texans are off to a franchise best start and would be undefeated if not for an absolute collapse on Sunday Night football against the gunslinging reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. However I cannot complain about a 7-1 start, which can be accredited to a few pivotal pieces of the AFC leading Texans.

J.J. Watt

If I were voting for a mid-season MVP Watt would finish second only to his incredible sack dance mimicking Aaron Rodger's championship belt touchdown dance. However due to the oft criticized NFL MVP race which makes it practically impossible for a non-QB to win the award, Watt usually appears as number 5 or 6 in highly publicized polls. Contrary to popular belief, due to a few specific reasons, Watt deserves to be named the MVP of the half season.

First and foremost numbers speak for themselves. 10.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, 39 tackles, and one sweet sack celebration. 4 of his 10 passes defended have lead to turnovers, this stat cannot be overstated.

Secondly, with the loss of team captain and emotional leader, Brian Cushing (Cush), the Texans defensive unit was in desperate need for someone to take the helm. J.J. has far exceeded expectation up to this point, and for his efforts he was recently named a mid-season captain.

Finally, his superior play consistently draws double coverage from opposing offensive linemen and opens up opportunities for his fellow linemen and linebackers to get in on the pass rush. This can easily be evidenced by Conor Barwin, Brooks Reed, and Whitney Mercilus' rise in productivity over the past few games.

Due to these reasons J.J. Watt should be considered the Most Valuable Player up to this point in the NFL.

Matt Schaub

Underrated. That might as well be Matt Schaub's middle name. Schaub's play up to this point has been underrated and undervalued by the talking heads surrounding the NFL. Now I am not saying Schaub is in the same category as Brady, Brees, Manning, and Rodgers, that would be biased and simply not true. However Schaub has done exactly as he is supposed to do; he has been efficient, intelligent, and consistent.

His statline up to this point: 12 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and 1918 yards. While many may not agree with this, the most important stat is the 4 interceptions, which denotes smart decision making that has ultimately been lacking over the last few seasons. Matt Schaub is not a sexy QB, far from it. He is not a gunslinger, and he is no way shape or form an electric runner. He is exactly what the Texans need; an intelligent pocket passer.

With a plethora of targets to work with, Schaub has taken advantage of his chances this season, many of his explosive plays coming off the trademarked Kubiak bootleg. That is why Schaub's value to his team cannot be overemphasized.

I have to go wake up my friend for breakfast and then go to class, but I will have another update in a few hours.

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