The Houston Texans suffered through a miserable 2013 as they lost their last 14 games of the year, but they did bounce back last year as expected, by going 9-7. Now Vegas is looking for them to have a slightly above average year as their win total has been set at 8.5 (O -130). Vegas Odds have Houston listed at +380 to win the AFC South, +2000 to win the AFC Championship and +5000 to win the Superbowl. A preview of the Houston Texans, along with their 2015 Schedule is below.
Last year the Texans ranked 14th in the league in scoring, at 23.2 ppg, while also ranking 17th in total yards (344.6 ypg), 24th in passing (209.5 ypg) and 5th in rushing (131.5 ypg). Offensively the Texans were improved as they rose from 31st in scoring in 2013 to 14th last year. This year I see them being solid once again, especially with the addition of Brian Hoyer at QB. Hoyer was able to win games at Cleveland with no skill players at all and he has a few of them here, including RB Arian Foster and WR Deandre Hopkins, but he does need to cut down on the INTs. It will actually be a battle between him and Ryan Mallet, but who ever gets the job will have the luxury of handing the ball off to Arian Foster, who is one of the best backs in the league. The WR corps did lose Andre Johnson, but they will still be a solid group with the additions of Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington. The offensive line will be very solid one again and should protect whoever is at QB, plus open plenty of holes for Foster, This will not be a spectacular offense, but they will be solid and should slightly improve on last years numbers.
Defensively, the Texans ranked 7th in points allowed (19.2 ppg), 16th in yards allowed (348.2 ypg), 21st vs the pass (243.1 ypg) and 10th vs the run (105.1 ypg).The defense for the Texans was very good last year and should be very good once again. This is a scary defense that led the league in Takeaways with 34 a year ago and is anchored by the best defensive player in the league in JJ Watt. The Texans will also get back Jadaveon Clowney, who missed some time last year, plus they have added Vince Wolfork, who is one of the best run stoppers in the league. This is truly a scary front 7 for the Texans. The Defensive backfield was the weak point of this defense last year and will be so again, but it has been upgraded with the addition of DJ Swearinger and Rahim Moore, to go along with Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph. This is clearly one of the best defenses in the league.
The Texans improved by 7 wins over 2013 and they should flirt with a payoff berth this time around. The Offense should show improvement, but they need foster to stay healthy for the whole year and they need at least decent play from the QB spot. They have a solid corps of WR's, they just have to get them the ball. The offense will not have to be spectacular this year to win games as the defense is very stout and should finish in the top 5 in the league. they may end up playing in a bunch of low scoring games this year as I just don't see them averaging a bunch and their opponents will find it hard to score on them. The schedule is not all that tough for them, especially with 4 games vs Tennessee and Jacksonville on their slate. They also have Tampa Bay New Orleans, Kansas City, Indy, the Jets and the Pats at home, plus winnable road games vs Carolina and Buffalo. I say they will top their 8.5 win total with 10 win this year and a berth in the playoffs.
Info Gathered From Scout.com & Athlon Sports
2015 Houston Texans Schedule
Sept. 13 Kansas City Chiefs, 1
Sept. 20 at Carolina Panthers, 1
Sept. 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1
Oct. 4 at Atlanta Falcons, 1
Oct. 8 Indianapolis Colts (Thu), 8:25
Oct. 18 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1
Oct. 25 at Miami Dolphins, 1
Nov. 1 Tennessee Titans, 1
Nov. 8 BYE
Nov. 16 at Cincinnati Bengals (Mon), 8:30
Nov. 22 New York Jets, 1
Nov. 29 New Orleans Saints, 1
Dec. 6 at Buffalo Bills, 1
Dec. 13 New England Patriots, 1
Dec. 20 at Indianapolis Colts, 1
Dec. 27 at Tennessee Titans, 1
Jan. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars, 1
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Free NFL Betting Pick: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
It may be June, but this Monday Night Football bet is already a hot commodity with bettors jumping to bet against the San Francisco 49ers. Pro bettor Steve Fezzik loves the Vikings at +3 here, and says this bet is one you want to run, not walk to get before the number before this three-star bet disappears. With Adrian Peterson back, Teddy Bridgewater maturing, and the 49ers imploding, this is a perfect spot to fade a bad team and bet big on an underrated team this 2015 NFL season.