TexansForever raised the same question in this FanPost, so I figured it was a fine time to check in on my preseason prediction regarding the regular season record of your Houston Texans. Back in early September, I reluctantly concluded the Texans would finish 10-6. Specifically, I said the Texans would fare as follows through the first nine (9) games:
1. Jets--WIN. Having seen our defense in the preseason, this makes me awfully nervous, but I'll give the edge to the team playing at home and not starting a rookie at QB.
2. @ Titans--LOSS. I'd love to pick the Texans to win in Nashville, but, to paraphrase Sean Connery in "The Rock," that's sheer lunacy until further notice.
3. Jaguars--WIN. I still don't buy David Garrard, and it seems like he actually has LESS options in the passing game this year.
4. Raiders--WIN. Immediately after the game, Al Davis announces that he's sent first-round draft picks in 2012 and 2013 to Houston for The Corpse Formerly Known As Anthony Weaver. Davis is not the least bit discouraged by the fact that the Texans no longer own Weaver's rights.
5. @ Cardinals--LOSS. I'd be scared of Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin. But both? Against a secondary that may have Jacques Reeves returning from a broken leg this week? No, thank you.
6. @ Bengals--WIN. But the Bengals get a far more important victory...the moral kind, courtesy of Andre Smith getting the first glimpse of his toes in four years after the game.
7. 49ers--LOSS. Trap game.
8. @ Bills--WIN. No joke here. I feel really bad for Buffalo fans.
9. @ Colts--LOSS. No Rosencopter this time. Say hello to the Grossburg! Seriously, though...may the all-knowing deity of your choice help us all if Schaub misses any appreciable amount of time this season. If Vegas set the line on the number of games Matt Schaub would finish this season at 14, logic says you'd have to take the under, wouldn't you? Thinking about this depresses me greatly. Thank goodness we've reached the bye week.
Thus, I had the Texans at 5-4, precisely where they are now, albeit with several incorrect individual game predictions. In other words, I was right, but not really. I said the second half would unfold as follows:
11. Titans--WIN. It's football, played at night, in front of a national audience, during the work week. Recent history suggests the Texans will show well here. NOTE: Preseason games don't count. Move along. Nothing to see here.Given the opportunity to revise that prediction now, I'm going to say: 11. Titans--WIN. Yes, even with Vince Young under center.
12. Colts--WIN. Because it has to happen again during my lifetime.
13. @ Jaguars--LOSS. Felt pretty good until this, didn't you? What with the seven wins and all? Reality check.
14. Seahawks--WIN. Only because it's at Reliant. Not sure why, but this game really scares me.
15. @ Rams--WIN. Be it Marc Bulger or Kyle Boller, it's gonna be a rough year in St. Louis.
16. @ Dolphins--LOSS. Like most everyone else, I think Miami's going to fall back to the pack a bit this year, but they'll still be good enough to bite the Texans here.
17. Patriots--WIN. Only because the Patriots will be resting Al Davis' future employees.
12. Colts--LOSS. Peyton Manning makes me sad.
13. @ Jaguars--WIN. I would like to think the Texans learned from their first experience against the Jags this season.
14. Seahawks--WIN. I have nothing insightful to say here.
15. @ Rams--WIN. May Durga have mercy on us all if the Rams sneak up on Kubes & Co.
16. @ Dolphins--LOSS. Miami's not going to the playoffs, but they're going to have the chance to spoil postseasons for other teams.
17. Patriots--WIN. After last night's debacle, however, I don't feel nearly as confident about Belichick resting his starters here. If the Patriots have something to play for here (and absent a collapse by the Colts, it won't be homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs), I may be forced to revisit this call.
Looking at the remaining schedule, in conjunction with what we've seen through nine games, what's your feeling? Sound off in the Comments.
Titans vs Texans coverage