h.
2010 Record: 8-8
2011 Prediction: 5-11
That's quarterback hair, baby.
Houston Texans
I still don’t believe in the Texans. That being said, there’s no one else to take this division if Peyton Manning can’t play most of the season. They’re the winners by default. They ridiculously underachieved in 2010, playing defense that couldn’t possibly get any worse. Matt Schaub is a fantastic fantasy quarterback, but I don’t feel he’s quite reached that elite status. Andre Johnson is a beast on the outside, but the Texans still don’t have a great #2 to take the pressure off him. If tight end Owen Daniels stays healthy, it could alleviate most of those concerns. Speaking of concerns, Arian Foster may be bothered by his hamstring injury if he gets rushed back onto the field. He can sit a week or two, but then the Texans need to stake their claim. With Wade Philips overhauling the defense into a 3-4 scheme, I expect a vast improvement. Drafting defensive end J.J. Watt helps fortify the front three, backed up by Connor Barwin and Brian Cushing. Where Houston made the most important signings were in the secondary, adding former stand-out Bengal corner Jonathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning. It won’t completely solve their pass coverage problems, but it’s a great first step. I wanted to put them at 9-7, but it simply has to be their year. (Though I will say now that NO ONE should be surprised if they fall flat on their face. Again.)
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