Texans morning huddle: Season prediction, matchup versus Chiefs

Good morning once again Texans fans. Let’s start our day off the right way as always, with news about the Houston Texans! Today’s links include record prediction from two people who cover the team, as well as a look ahead to the Kansas City game and how their offense matches up with the Texans’ defense.

2015 Houston Texans game-by-game predictions – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN

"Last year I undershot, predicting 8-8 while the Houston Texans went 9-7 despite dramatic quarterback turmoil. I expect the Texans to be better this year with Brian Hoyer at the helm and with a defense that will be better overall than it was last season, but that won’t change their record.Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, Kansas City, 1 p.m.This will mark Jadeveon Clowney’s triumphant return which, at the very least, will give the Chiefs something to think about. The Texans won their opener last season and will again. Texans 16, Chiefs 3. Record: 1-0.Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Carolina, 1 p.m.I picked the Texans to lose this one early, and will again. The Panthers have some issues, but will be better than they were last season, and will give the Texans an early wake-up call. Panthers 24, Texans 20. Record: 1-1.Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.A rookie quarterback will be no match for the Texans’ defense. They’ll get back on track here in emphatic fashion. We’ll predict J.J. Watt’s first touchdown in this game. Why not? Texans 17, Buccaneers 3. Record: 2-1.Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, at Atlanta, 1 p.m.The Texans could get back Arian Foster for this game, which would be a major development and be of major assistance to an offense that will already be clicking better than it did in in September. But that might be a tough ask. Under new head coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons squeak by here. Falcons 17, Texans 10. Record 2-2."

Defense knows Chiefs’ O is “very potent” – by Drew Dougherty of HoustonTexans.com

"Preseason games and the grind of training camp are finished.The horizon of the 2015 regular season is in sight.The Texans host the Chiefs in Week 1 at NRG Stadium, and everything’s different, routine-wise.“Now everything is detailed to that opponent,” head coach Bill O’Brien said on Monday. “It’s a game planoffense, game plan defense, game plan special teams, so everything we’re doing is game plan for Kansas City.”Game planning for the KC offense can be tricky, as the Chiefs come to town with an attack that flows through running back Jamaal Charles and his 5.5 career yards per carry. One of the game’s elite ball-carriers, the Texans are mindful of the havoc the former Texas Longhorn can wreak.“He’s a big problem,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said. “He can make you miss and he definitely has the speed to take it the distance. For us we definitely have to tackle well as a group. We have to fly to the ball. Once we get there, we have to make him pay.”VIEW GALLERY | 10 PhotosThe Practice SquadLast season, Charles was good for 14 touchdowns running and catching the ball, and averaged five yards a pop on the ground.In front of Charles, however, there’s been a change at the tackle positions. Eric Fisher slid from left to right tackle, and Donald Stephenson is now manning the blind side. O’Brien discussed how the Texans can prepare for the switch."

How three undrafted rookies made the Texans initial 53-man roster – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN

"When the 3 p.m. CT league roster deadline passed this Saturday, Greg Mancz got a call from his agent.Go ahead and call your mom, his agent said. Though the waiver system could have changed his fate, Mancz had made the Houston Texans initial 53-man roster, as an undrafted rookie out of Toledo.“She sort of screamed through the phone,” Mancz said. She was going to fly down to help him drive home to Cincinnati if the Texans released him. For now, that became unnecessary.Mancz was one of three undrafted rookies who made the Texans’ initial 53-man roster this weekend. His roommate, offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, and outside linebacker Carlos Thompson didn’t get a call on Friday or Saturday either. During cut-down weekend, no news is good news.“They all improved at their own positions,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “They play tough football. They learned every day, they came to practice every day, they fought through things, and you know, at the end of the day like I said, at this point in time we feel like this is the best 53, but it’s constantly under evaluation but right now we felt like those guys were part of our 53.”Mancz met with the Texans at the NFL scouting combine and at his pro day. He might have been drafted were it not for a shoulder injury during the East West Shrine game.“They told me you’re going to be an inside three, so get used to playing everywhere and never say no to an opportunity,” Mancz said."

A glance at how the AFC South stacks up – by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle

"The Texans’ quest to win the AFC South division for the third time in franchise history is built around toppling the Indianapolis Colts, winners of the past two division crowns.With Houston native and three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck headlining the offense, the Colts have made it to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons with 11-5 records.If not for a defense that lacks stout run-stoppers and a proven pass rusher beyond Robert Mathis, the Colts would be regarded as even more of a legitimate Super Bowl contender.Despite those shortcomings, the Colts have a 22-4 record all-time against the Texans, much of that built during the Peyton Manning era, and have never lost to them in Indianapolis.Trying to upgrade their roster, the Colts signed former Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson to a three-year, $21 million contract in March."

Next: Houston Texans: Montee Ball an option at running back?