HEAD COACH: Gary Kubiak
Key Additions: WR Bryant Johnson; P Donnie Jones
Key Losses: LB/DE Mario Williams; CB Jason Allen; TE Joel Dreesen; OL Eric Winston, OL Mike Brisiel; LB DeMeco Ryans
Offense: The Texans rely heavily on the running game and have two solid running backs in Arian Foster (1,224 yards for a 4.4 ypc average and ten touchdowns) and Ben Tate, who ran for 942 yards (5.4 ypc average) and scored four touchdowns. In addition, Foster is also a good target out of the backfield, catching 53 passes for 617 yards and two touchdowns last year.
The quarterback will be Matt Schaub, who is coming off an injury plagued season that saw him throw for 2,479 yards with 15 TD and just six interceptions. Backup QB T.J. Yates filled in admirably last year, playing in six games while helping to lead the Texans to the playoffs while passing for 949 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
The top wide receiver is Andre Johnson, who was injured for a good portion of last season. Johnson played in only seven regular season games and caught 33 passes for 492 yards (14.9 ypc average) and two touchdowns.
Other wideouts include Kevin Walter (39, 474, three TD), Bryant Johnson and rookies Keyshawn Martin (Michigan State) and DeVier Posey, who played at Ohio State. The tight end is Owen Daniels, who made 54 receptions for 677 yards and three touchdowns. Garrett Graham is the backup tight end.
The offensive line has center Chris Myers and tackles Rashad Butler and Duane Brown. The guards are Wade Smith and Antoine Caldwell. In reserve are Derek Newton, Thomas Austin, Andrew Gardner and rookie draft picks Brandon Brooks (Miami, Ohio) and Ben Jones (Georgia).
The Texans rushing attack finished second in the NFL last season, averaging 153 yards per game while the passing game was 18th (219 yards per game). Overall, Houston ranked 13th on offense, averaging 372 yards per game.
Defense: Superstar Mario Williams left for free agency and signed with the Buffalo Bills, leaving the Texans with a big void to fill on their defensive front.
The Texans use the 3-4 look and have nose tackle Shaun Cody along with ends J.J. Watt (5 1/2 QB sacks) and Antonio Smith, who registered 6 1/2 sacks.
The linebacking unit is tremendous and features pass rushers Connor Barwin (11 1/2 sacks) and Brooks Reed (six sacks) on the outside. The inside linebackers are Brian Cushing (four sacks and two interceptions) and Darryl Sharpton.
Backups for the front seven of the defense will be linebacker Whitney Mercilus, the team's top rookie draft pick from Illinois. Also in the fold are Tim Jamison, Earl Mitchell, Tim Dobbins, Bradie James, Jesse Nading and rookie Jared Crick.
The secondary has cornerbacks Jonathan Joseph (four INT) and Kareem Jackson. The safeties include Danieal Manning (two INT) and Glover Quin.
Backing up in the defensive backfield are Brice McCain, Quintin Demps (two picks), Brandon Harris, Troy Nolan, Shiloh Keo and Sherrick McManis.
Houston's defense finished second overall in 2011, giving up just 286 yards a game, including only 96 yards rushing per game (4th in NFL) and 190 yards passing allowed, which was third in the league. The Texans totaled 17 interceptions and 44 sacks last year and allowed the fourth fewest points in football, giving up 278 last year, which was just 17 points per game.
OUTLOOK: As the 2012 season rolls around, the Texans are the overwhelming favorite to repeat as AFC South division champions.
Head Coach Gary Kubiak has a team that can make a run to the Super Bowl if everything falls into place this season.
Quarterback Matt Schaub was enjoying a good season before suffering a season ending injury that took the air out of the offensive sails.
The running tandem of Foster and Tate is one of the league's best as both runners could top 1,000 yards rushing this season. Add in a healthy season from wide receiver Andre Johnson and the team has tremendous potential to light up the scoreboard.
The defense should be solid once again in spite of losing Williams, who was hurt last season, to the Bills via free agency. This defense gets after opposing quarterbacks with relentless pressure that allows the defensive backs to blanket opposing wide receivers.
As long as the team stays relatively healthy, they could do some damage come playoff time. Schaub still has to show he can do it in crunch time because it was backup QB T.J. Yates taking the snaps during the team's playoff games.
With only Tennessee looming as a serious challenge in the division, look for the Texans to make it two in a row for the division title and get back to the playoffs with an 11-5 record this year. How far they go in the playoffs will rest with Schaub being healthy and the defense continuing to play solid.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Miami
Week 2- at Jacksonville
Week 3- at Denver
Week 4- vs. Tennessee
Week 5- at NY Jets
Week 6- vs. Green Bay
Week 7- vs. Baltimore
Week 8- BYE
Week 9- vs. Buffalo
Week 10- at Chicago
Week 11- vs. Jacksonville
Week 12- at Detroit
Week 13- at Tennessee
Week 14- at New England
Week 15- vs. Indianapolis
Week 16- vs. Minnesota
Week 17- at Indianapolis
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