2011-2012 is the sixth season the Houston Texans have been in existence, and fans are hoping it will be significant in that it will mark their first trip to the playoffs. This isn’t the first year that experts have felt the Texans were on the verge of a breakout year. Unfortunately, the best result from those expectations has been a 9-7 finish in 2009. This has put head coach Gary Kubiak under the microscope, as the team’s talent level hasn’t been questioned.
2011 may be different, however, for several reasons. Perhaps the most important one has nothing to do with the Texans themselves. Instead it has to do with Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning being out for the season (or most of it) with injury. The Colts are the perennial front-runners in the Texans’ division. Without Manning, the division appears to be wide open and the Texans hope to capitalize on that.
Fittingly, the Texans open the season against the Colts. This game has become something of a barometer for the Texans each year. In the past, if they could at least split the season series with the Colts it was considered a victory overall. This year, without Peyton Manning in the picture, the Texans will have to win both games with the Colts to prove their legitimacy.
The Texans schedule doesn’t get any easier after the Colts as they have to travel to New Orleans in week 3 to play the Saints. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub will go head-to-head with Saints quarterback Drew Brees in what should be an offensive slug-fest. The Saints game is followed up by the Steelers at home in week 4. The punishing Steelers defense will test the true resiliency of the Texans offense. Arian Foster, the league’s leading rusher in 2010, will have to play his best game against a tough Steelers defensive line.
In week 6, the Texans face another stingy defense when they travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis leads the Ravens defense, and their shut-down secondary will attempt to contain Texans superstar receiver Andre Johnson. If they make it past the Ravens with a good record, the Texans will be in good shape as the toughest part of the schedule will be behind them.
In week 13 they play host to the Atlanta Falcons, who owned the league’s best record in 2010. Then, in week 16, the Texans play at the Colts to finish out the season series with Indianapolis.
Anything less than 10-6 will be a disappointment for the Texans in 2011-2012. They have a supremely talented offense and a quick and swarming defense. As long as everyone stays healthy, the team should be able to remain competitive with the best teams in the league in 2011. And fans hope they will be watching their team for the first time in mid-January.
Sunday 9/11 Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Sunday 9/18 at Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 9/25 at New Orleans Saints vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 10/2 Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday 10/9 Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders
Sunday 10/16 at Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 10/23 at Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 10/30 Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 11/6 Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday 11/13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 11/20 BYE WEEK
Sunday 11/27 at Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 12/4 Houston Texans vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sunday 12/11 at Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 12/18 Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers
Thursday 12/22 at Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Sunday 1/1 Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans
