Houston Texans: 2015 season predictions
By Randy Gurzi
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans receiver Cecil Shorts III (18) runs for a touchdown after a reception in the first quarter against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Nick Moody (54) in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
September;
Kansas City, at Carolina, Tampa Bay
Prediction: Houston starts off on a high note with a big win against Kansas City. This is a very tough Chiefs team, but Alex Smith won’t be able to move the ball against a stout Houston D, and Jamaal Charles can only do so much. Houston wins a close one.
Carolina has no way to move the ball on offense, as Cam Newton has nobody to throw to and Jonathan Stewart can’t stay on the field. However, Houston’s offense isn’t looking much better to start the season, and I think Newton’s ability will give the Panthers a victory against the Texans.
The Houston D takes huge advantage of the fact that Jameis Winston is a rookie who couldn’t even avoid turning the ball over in college. Houston gets at least one defensive score against Tamp Bay, and blows The Bucs out of the water.
Record for the month: 2-1
October;
at Atlanta, Indianapolis, at Jacksonville, at Miami
Prediction: Atlanta should be a much better team this season, and even though their defense isn’t great, Houston can’t compete with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Atlanta beats the Texans simply by being able to score more points.
With Andrew Luck, Andre Johnson, and the Colts coming to town, the Texans have a lot of motivation to win this one. Houston grabs a key division victory by being able to shut down the Indianapolis offense, and taking advantage of Luck’s iffy ball-security.
The defense grabs the team another one, as Houston takes advantage of yet another inexperienced quarterback. Jacksonville should be improved this year, but they’re still no match for Houston.
Miami is a tough one. Annually underrated, this team has the talent to have an outstanding year, and the Dolphins should have no problem handling Houston down in Florida.
Record for the month: 2-2
Record overall: 4-3
November;
Tennessee, BYE WEEK, at Cincinnati, New York Jets, New Orleans
Prediction: The Titans have been rebuilding for awhile, and will likely continue to do so. They don’t have any consistency on offense, and their defense is nothing to be in awe of. They should be an easy victory for the Texans. If they have Arian Foster back by this game, he’s likely to run all over the Titans.
Coming out of the Bye Week, Houston will be looking for a huge victory against an annually underachieving Bengals team. Despite the extra week of practice, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will outscore the young Houston offense, and give the Texans a disappointing loss.
The next game should be another defensive showdown, but Houston should have the upper hand offensively in this game, despite the presence of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker in New York.
Drew Brees and his Saints may have lost Jimmy Graham, but don’t think that means they will struggle offensively. Brees still has plenty of weapons to throw to and the backfield is the strongest it’s been for awhile. New Orleans runs away with this one.
Record for the month: 2-2
Overall record: 6-5
December;
at Buffalo, New England, at Indianapolis, at Tennessee
Prediction: The Bills have one of the better defenses in the league, and they will show this in what could be a chilly game in Buffalo in early December. They’ll beat Houston in a low scoring defensive battle.
After trying to find its identity most of the season, Houston’s offense should finally begin to pick up steam heading into the home stretch of December and January. If Brian Hoyer and Arian Foster can stay consistent and healthy, the team should grab a huge win against New England here, and build momentum heading towards a playoff run.
Building off a key lat-season upset of New England, Houston will win another huge divisional game against the Colts, once again stopping Luck and his high-flying offense.
They’ll close out the month of December with a victory against a fairly poor Tennessee team.
Record for the month: 3-1
Overall record: 9-6
January;
Jacksonville
Prediction: Jacksonville will put up quite a fight here, and even though I expect Blake Bortles to improve as the season goes on, Houston’s desperation to make it into the playoffs will grant them a victory in their final game of the regular season.
Record for the month: 1-0
Overall Record: 10-6
Next: Our next full season prediction...