Season Predictions – Texans Final 8 Games

Click here to view my predictions for the Texans first 8 games of 2010.

Coming into the second half of the season, the Texans are sitting well at 5-3. The Texans typically haven’t played well in the middle of the season, but they do finish strong. One thing the team will have to do is play better against other teams in the division, as they have four of those games in the second half. After going only 1-5 against those teams in 2009, they’ll need to do better if they want to take a step forward. Will this team have what it takes down the stretch to get their first playoff berth in franchise history? Well, let’s take a look. Here are my predictions for the Texans final 8 games of the 2010 season.

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Game 9 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars – The Texans have tended to play the Jaguars well since the Texans came into the league, but not as much in recent years. WR Mike Sims-Walker sure has been a pleasant site for the Jags at the receiving position, finally giving them a true starting wide-out in the NFL. This might be one of those games where the better team loses due to a series of mistakes. Loss (5-4)

Game 10 – @ New York Jets – The Jets are a great defensive team, as we’ve figured out last season. They can shut down the best offenses, including the Texans. Recent additions should help when playing teams like the Jets, but this game is at their place and they should only continue to progress under head coach Rex Ryan. Loss (5-5)

Game 11 – Tennessee Titans – When people think of how good the Tennessee Titans are, they can’t help but think of the great season they had just two years ago. But that team is not this team, and this team is going in the wrong direction. Even though they may have RB Chris Johnson’s contract dispute put on hold for this season, their defense is losing key pieces left and right. First it was DT Albert Haynesworth after 2008, then LB Keith Bullock and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch after 2009. If it wasn’t easy enough for the Texans to move the ball on them last year, then this year it should be. With CB Kareem Jackson (a true cover corner) now opposite CB Glover Quin, it should be easier to contain Vince Young up front. Win (6-5)

Game 12 – @ Philadelphia Eagles – After shipping off QB Donovan McNabb to the Redskins and the loss of RB Brian Westbrook, there are a lot of questions for the Eagles going into the season. QB Kevin Kolb was drafted in the 1st round to be their leader of the future, and that’s just how things are playing out for him. But I think this is bad news for WR DeSean Jackson, who benefitted greatly off of McNabb’s great deep pass accuracy. But outside DE Trent Cole and CB Asante Samuel, the Eagles don’t have that many stand out players. Win (7-5)

Game 13 – Baltimore Ravens – Then we come back for a Monday Night showdown at Reliant Stadium against the Ravens. The last time these two teams met, the Ravens gave the Texans a good beat down. But these aren’t the same two teams who faced off in 2008. The Texans are much improved, and the Ravens having lost some key pieces. Among those lost is coach Rex Ryan, LB Bart Scott, and possibly even safety FS Ed Reed with a injuries. Probably the biggest concern for the Texans will be DE Haloti Ngata. Win ( 8-5) 

Game 14 – @ Tennessee Titans – The Texans will finish the final three weeks of the season playing two out of their three games against division rivals. In week 14, the Texans go on a horse trail ride into Nashville to face the Titans. As mentioned before, the Titans are losing key players on defense, and will be easier to move the ball on. It will be up the the Titans offense to keep up with the Texans, which I don’t think they’ll be able to do. Win (9-5)

 Game 15 – @ Denver Broncos – Kubiak takes his first trip back to Mile High since taking his leave for the Texans in 2006. It’s winter by now, and should be cold and possibly snowy. The Texans typically play well in very cold weather, but this young group has yet to play at a higher altitude. They could all be gasping for air by the 3rd quarter, which will really hold them back. And don’t forget how good the Broncos looked before going into a bad slump last season. They may be able to carry that momentum into December this year. Loss (9-6)

Game 16 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Finally, we come to the season finale against the Jaguars in Houston. This game has a big question going into it. Will the Texans stay 9-7 for a second year in a row, or will they take a step forward and finally get to 10-6? With the Texans winning their last four season finales, you should expect them to have the advantage. With the Jaguars likely playing for pride as opposed to a playoff spot, they don’t have much to lose. But at the same time, the Texans have much more potential than the Jags do, and the Texans might just run up and down the field on them. Win (10-6)

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So in my predictions, the Texans will finally make it to double digit wins. A big improvement was made within the division, going 4-2 (as opposed to 1-5 in 2009), as well as sweeping the Titans. Even with a tougher schedule in 2010, the Texans have enough potential with their younger players to be able to take another step. But will a 10-6 record be enough to get them into the playoffs? Hopefully, otherwise there will be a lot of disappointed Texans fans having to wait until “next year”.