Behind The Box Score

Wreaking havoc on other teams within the AFC South for the last few years without playoff success, the Texans look to stop that trend in 2009. With the key parts from an 8-8 season returning for the new year, everything looks to be in place. A tough start to 2008 threw the plans of a playoff berth out the window, starting out 0-4. Their spotty defense was the main reason they dropped the first four, they were 22nd overall in total defense last year.

Offensively, they return the always speedy Steve Slaton, who rushed for 1,282 yards in his opening year, getting to the endzone a total of 10 times. He is a threat outside of rushing also, catching 50 passes for 377 yards in ’08. When the ball is going through the air, it is going to most likely be coming from Matt Schaub, who is coming off a decent 2008 season, in which he threw for 3,000+ yards. The only major problems lurking include the fact that he is fragile, and has had a tough time in the past trying to stay healthy for an entire 16 game season so far in his career. “We’re ready to take that next step. A lot of guys are in their 4th and 5th years in [Kubiak's] system. It’s time to make that jump,” Schaub said. The other issue that is brought up is his TD:INT ratio, last season the threw 15 TDs, but also threw 10 balls to the other team. Something to help that ratio improve is having one of the best wideouts at his disposal in Andre Johnson, catching 115 passes last year, for 8 TDs and 1,575 yards.

The one thing that may bring this team down however is the defense, having a tough time stopping opposing offenses, giving up 21 points in 12 of their 16 games last year. The 16-game total of 394 points allowed was one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 27th out of the 32 teams. Mario Williams has to hold down the fort in the trenches for the defense, having another great year in ’08, with 12 sacks, 7th most in the NFL last year. The Texans added Antonio Smith from Arizona to help Williams at the DE position. The linebacking core looks to be improving, led by DeMeco Ryans, a quick middle linebacker that recorded 112 tackles last year. “I don’t want to come off the field at any cost. This is my defense–no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Our performance reflects my leadership,” Ryans said of the defense.

The opening part of the schedule is not as brutal as it was last year, getting three of the first four games inside Reliant Stadium. Not many would be surprised by a 3-1 start for Houston, with wins most likely over the Jets, Jacksonville, and Oakland. The rest of the games in October don’t seem to be too much of a problem, minus the meeting at NFC champion Arizona on the 11th. The brutal part of the schedule doesn’t begin until Week 9, with games at Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Indy at home. The only saving grace is that in between the meetings at Indy and against the Titans is a bye week. The AFC south is a three horse race, with Jacksonville bringing up the rear. I could see any of the top three winning the divison and making a serious run in the playoffs.