To return to the playoffs the Texans must outplay the AFC South which consists of the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars; not exactly the toughest division in the NFL. The Colts do have one of the most promising quarterbacks of the next generation in Andrew Luck. In his second season, Luck will progress as a passer and hone his skills into the top notch/elite quarterback he is projected to be. The Colts are coming off a near playoff miss and they pose as the biggest threat to the Texans. Having said that, do not expect a sophomore quarterback lead, up and coming team that should be relevant in 2-5 years overtaking the Texans as division champions in 2013.
This off-season, through the draft and free agency, the Texans picked up a few players that will improve the squad as the season progresses. Following a Super Bowl winning season, former Baltimore Raven Ed Reed will join the Houston secondary which limped to the conclusion of the regular season. In 2012 the Texans secondary placed 16th in passing yards allowed; 226 per game. Reed, coming off of a hip surgery is unsure whether or not he will be able to go come opening day. Once he joins the Texans, his play and as his knowledge of the game will help other defensive backs such as pro bowler Jonathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, and rookie D.J. Swearinger.
The Texans drafted promising Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins to spread the field and open up the Texans, at times, nauseatingly boring passing game. Hopkins, playing alongside the ageless wonder Andre Johnson, second year receivers Keshawn Martin, Devier Posey, and third year receiver Lestar Jean, should provide franchise quarterback Matt Schaub more targets which will lead to more production in the passing game. The Texans, who work through a two tight end set a more than any other team will also utilize Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham, and 6th round pick Ryan Griffin. Daniels is a former Pro-Bowler, and Graham has steadily improved his game since being drafted in 2010.
It goes without saying that the Texans’ backfield is arguably the best in the National Football League. Only a few tangents of 1 and 2 backs could even come close to standing up to Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Foster missed the preseason entirely, but has assured fans, coaches, and teammates, that come MNF against the San Diego Chargers; he will be ready to go. Tate is in a contract year and ran well last week against the Saints. In 2011 Tate rushed for nearly 1000 yards, and while it is far-fetched to achieve those numbers behind the second best back in the league, he will provide a punch when Foster needs a blow.
Prior to a season ending injury to ILB Brian Cushing, the Texans boasted one of the league’s best defenses. After Cushing’s torn ACL, combined with two sports hernias Jonathan Joseph suffered, the Texans never regained the swagger they played with the first five weeks of the season. With Cushing coming back from injury, the acquisition of Ed Reed, and the best defensive end in the league in J.J. Watt, the Texans will attempt to reestablish themselves as the best unit in the league.
With a sound backfield, explosive air attack, and high profile defensive core, the only question remaining for the Texans is the man calling the signals. Matt Schaub is in his 8th year as a starter, and has won one playoff game. In big game situations, he falls apart, and he has yet to live up to his billing as the highest paid athlete in all of the greater Houston area. In 2013 the Texans can go as far as Schaub takes them. Defense wins championships, sure, but upon closer examination of the last few Super Bowl winners, quarterbacks play a major role in postseason success. The last five quarterbacks to win Super Bowls? Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger. For the Texans to make it past the divisional round of the playoffs, Schaub must rise to the occasion, utilize what could be the best receiving corps in franchise history, and be the quarterback Gary Kubiak, Rick Smith, and Bob McNair expect him to be.
A regression is challenging to see when it comes to the Texans in 2013. A regression would mean that the Texans will either; not secure a first round bye, not make it past the divisional round or miss the postseason entirely. For that to happen six teams in the AFC must outplay the Texans. At this point only one team in the AFC is genuinely better than the Texans, that being the Denver Broncos. The Texans, Patriots, Bengals and the Colts round out the top five in the AFC. Super Bowl hopes rest on Schaub, and, with a revamped receiving core and one of the best backs in the game lining up behind him, look for him to do big things this season. Anticipate the Texans making a deep playoff run this season, they have no excuses, this team is the best the young franchise has ever been.
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