Texans Season Predictions: Post-Schedule Release Edition
By Randy Gurzi
September;
Kansas City, at Carolina, Tampa Bay
Prediction: Kansas City is often a surprising opponent, but it seems like the Texans will be well prepared for week one based on their offseason work. The NFC is a pass -happy division, and the Texans secondary has yet to establish itself as a factor in games. Despite this, having the chance for the defensive line to get a shot at two young quarterbacks in consecutive weeks (assuming Winston ends up in Tampa) will be a huge morale booster for the defense.
Record for the month: 2-1
October;
at Atlanta, Indianapolis, at Jacksonville, at Miami
Prediction: Atlanta isn’t what they used to be, and that seems like a winnable game. Their home crowd seemed daunting before, but know that it’s been revealed that they illegally used artificial crowd noise, it’s not clear that they have that much of a home field advantage. The Colts (as usual) will be a tough opponent, and I don’t think the Texans will be ready to beat them this early in the year. On the road for two consecutive weeks in Florida seems like a drive, but the ease of Jacksonville and Miami should prevail, allowing the Texans to win both games. These games start a trail of 6 great weeks that feature very winnable games.
Record for the month: 3-1
Record overall: 5-2
November;
Tennessee, BYE WEEK, at Cincinnati, New York Jets, New Orleans
Prediction: This month features the end of the Texans best part of their schedule. For six weeks, they have very winnable games, and a bye week to rest themselves. The toughest game is against the Bengals, but with an off week right before it, they should be rested enough to even win that game. The Bengals are the only team in these six weeks that made it to the playoffs last year, and the only team who had a record above .500. Playing at home in New Orleans will be a rude awakening, as they have a loud and rowdy crowd that may disturb whoever ends up calling the shots under center. Despite this, one loss in seven weeks wouldn’t be anything to complain about, and these games could allow the Texans to get a huge step up over their divisional rivals.
Record for the month: 3-1
Overall record: 8-3
December;
at Buffalo, New England, at Indianapolis, at Tennessee
Prediction: With a new look in Buffalo, I don’t think the Texans offense has enough to get past their defense. On the other side of the ball, LeSean McCoy will be able to keep pumping away at the defensive line, and the Bills also have the ability to attack through the air. With this game being in Orchard Park in December, the cold could be a huge factor in this as well. I don’t see the Texans taking a win here. New England is a tough opponent as well, that I don’t think the Texans can beat. As the season progresses, and the Texans learn from their first game against Indy, I do believe they will take the second matchup against them, as well as their game in Tennessee.
Record for the month: 2-2
Overall record: 10-5
January;
Jacksonville
Prediction: Jacksonville still doesn’t have what it takes to be a winning team. The Texans will take this one with ease, a great way to end the season, and hopefully a winning record.
Record for the month: 1-0
Overall Record 11-5