2011 Houston Texans NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Houston Texans NFL Football Season Preview: Last season, the Houston Texans had the best receiver in football, the NFL’s leading rusher, and a quarterback that topped 4,000 yards, but they finished 6-10. Needless to say, the defense wasn’t exactly holding up its end of the bargain. As a result, Houston brought in Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator in the offseason, along with a host of free agents on the defensive side of the ball. With a dominant offense already in place, the Texans might have a shot at the franchise’s first playoff appearance if the defense can just reach respectability in 2011-12.
Led by a surprising breakout year from running back Arian Foster, Houston finished fourth in the league in passing, seventh in rushing and ninth in scoring a year ago. Foster tallied a league-leading 1,616 yards to go along with 16 rushing touchdowns. He also chipped in with 66 catches for more than 600 yards. While Foster was running wild, quarterback Matt Schaub was blossoming, throwing for more than 4,300 yards. His top target was once again receiver Andre Johnson, who finished the year with more than 1,200 yards despite missing three games. All three offensive stars are in their prime, and the Texans should have no trouble duplicating and even topping last year’s production.
Scoring certainly won’t be a problem for Houston this season, but stopping opponents from doing the same has been a major issue in the past. Last year, the Texans ranked dead last in terms of passing yards allowed and 29th in points allowed. In seven of their 10 losses, the Texans gave up 30 or more points. In response, the front office shelled out some money in free agency to bring safety Danieal Manning and cornerback Johnathan Joseph to Houston. Manning brings a veteran presence, while Joseph is one of the best young corners in the NFL. Those additions alone should be enough to move the Texans’ pass defense out of the cellar and closer to the middle of the pack.
The other significant change will be the shift to a 3-4 base defense. The change means that defensive end and former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams will move to outside linebacker. The plan is for Williams to become a dominant edge rusher in the mold of DeMarcus Ware. While he certainly has the tools to fit the part, the defense as a whole may or may not suffer while Williams learns his new position. Along the defensive front, first-round pick J.J. Watt should provide the brute strength needed by a defensive end in the system, while the 300-plus pound Shaun Cody will make the move to nose guard. Phillips has the personnel he needs. The only question is how quickly the players can adapt.
Despite all the offensive firepower and the defensive overhaul, the thing that could benefit the Texans the most in 2011-12 is the lingering neck problems of Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning. The Colts have had a stranglehold on the AFC South, but if Manning misses significant time, Houston could sneak up and claim the division. Even if that doesn’t happen, the defense should improve enough over the course of the year to put the Texans over the .500 mark and into playoff contention.
Preseason 2011 Houston Texans NFL Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 Super Bowl: +2550
Odds to Win 2011 AFC Championship: +1015
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2011 Houston Texans NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 1:00 PM Colts – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 4:15 PM at Dolphins – – –
3 Sunday Sep. 25 1:00 PM at Saints – – –
4 Sunday Oct. 2 1:00 PM Steelers – – –
5 Sunday Oct. 9 1:00 PM Raiders – – –
6 Sunday Oct. 16 4:05 PM at Ravens – – –
7 Sunday Oct. 23 1:00 PM at Titans – – –
8 Sunday Oct. 30 1:00 PM Jaguars – – –
9 Sunday Nov. 6 1:00 PM Browns – – –
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM at Buccaneers – – –
11 Bye Week
12 Sunday Nov. 27 1:00 PM at Jaguars – – –
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM Falcons – – –
14 Sunday Dec. 11 1:00 PM at Bengals – – –
15 Sunday Dec. 18 1:00 PM Panthers – – –
16 Thursday Dec. 22 8:20 PM at Colts – – –
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM Titans – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 AFC East Odds and Predictions articles.
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