SB Nation FanPulse: Confidence Creeps Back Up Before London

Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across the NFL, powered by SurveyMonkey. Each week, we send 32 polls to 100+ plugged in fans from each team. Texans fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

Last week, I asked:

If the Texans beat the Raiders this week, how much will the confidence of those surveyed increase? Ten percent? Twenty?

The answer is 11. 11%. The Texans’ win over the Raiders resulted in the confidence of those surveyed to move from 24% to 35%.

I reckon the leap will be greater should the Texans emerge victorious over the Jaguars across the pond on Sunday morning. That would mean Houston would be 6-3, with a 2-1 record in the division, heading into their week off. When they return to action in Week 11, Houston’s remaining regular season slate is:

• @ Ravens
• Colts (Thursday Night Football)
• Patriots (Sunday Night Football)
• Broncos
• @ Titans
• @Buccaneers
• Titans

None of those teams are pushovers, but it’s also not beyond reason to believe the Texans could win four of their final seven games, and ten wins should get a team into the postseason in the AFC this year. Winning five of those seven, however, could be a bridge too far for a defense that figures to struggle mightily with covering opposing wideouts and at generating pressure without J.J. Watt. That makes Sunday’s tilt in London rather important. Win, and a playoff berth looks far more realistic. Lose, and the road to ten wins is fraught with peril.

Thoughts?