Houston Texans Morning Huddle–Texans Pretenders?

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Here are your daily Houston Texans stories to kick off your work week:

Texans are Pretenders by Cameron DaSilva

"Houston isn’t a playoff team. It hasn’t been one all year – we’ve just been blinded by the Texans’ seemingly decent record. They got off to a hot start, beginning 4-2 while holding the division lead for much of the season. Their success continued as they got out to a 6-3 mark through nine games, seemingly establishing themselves as AFC South favorites.Since then, they’ve lost three in a row – unsurprisingly to three decent teams. They’ve surrendered their cushion in the division and they’ll never get it back. The Colts are going to expose the Texans for what they really are: pretenders."

More from Toro Times

Well…that didn’t exactly turn out as planned. Though to be fair, it’s not like we were expecting much different. Gotta give the Texans a lot of credit for this win, their backs were against the wall and a lot of people thought they didn’t have a chance. Now, this division is theirs for the taking.

Cushing breaks all time tackles mark by Drew Dougherty, Houstontexans.com

"Brian Cushing is the Texans tackles king.The inside linebacker brought down Frank Gore after a 4-yard gain in the third quarter, for the 637th stop of his career. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, who roamed the middle of the Texans defense from 2006 through 2011, was the previous franchise leader with 636.The 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee, Cushing was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2009. He won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award and led the Texans in tackles that year, as well as in 2011 and 2015."

Cushing has been a rock since the Texans drafted him out of USC. He overcame multiple early career injuries and always provided a model of citizenship in the community. There is nobody more deserving of the award.