Loaded With Talent, Texans Are Sleepers In AFC South

Playing in the AFC South, the Houston Texans often get overlooked. The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans have been the much better teams over the years, and have also garnered the national T.V. spotlight. This season, however, Houston may finally be ready to jump into the picture. Andre Johnson is arguably the NFL's best wide receiver. Running back Steve Slaton is turning into an excellent running back. Owen Daniels is one of the league's best tight ends. Indeed, the Texans are loaded with talent. Problems have arisen the past two seasons due to a shaky defense and a slew of injuries, but all of that may change for the better in 2009. On the injury front, the bulk of the problem has been quarterback Matt Schaub. Since Schaub came to Houston as a free agent in 2007, he has missed a total of 10 games -- five in each season. He's not necessarily injury prone, but Schaub has had some unlucky and unfortunate injuries during his time in Houston. Schaub has loads of talent, and when he is been healthy the Texans offense is explosive. Last season was Schaub's best as he threw for 3,043 yards and 15 touchdowns. With that came a career-high in interceptions, which he will have to cut down on. When Schaub was injured, backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels did a very serviceable job, but he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings before this year's draft. That means that Schaub will be counted on even more heavily this year, as the backup is now Dan Orlovsky, who was far from great in Detroit in 2008. Schaub is quite possibly the most important player on the team at this point, because it has become increasingly clear that the Texans will not be able to reach the playoffs. Defensively, the Texans unit has come up markedly short. Last season, this group ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive category. Most troubling was points per game, as the Texans gave up 24.6 -- good enough for a tie for 26th in the league. The offense has always lived up to its side of the equation, putting points on the board with ease. But it is hard to outscore opponents every week, and that is where the defense must step in to help. The unit isn't lacking talent. Defensive end Mario Williams is proving to be extremely reliable, as are linebacker DeMeco Ryans and cornerback Dunta Robinson. Williams in particular has reportedly been impressive last season, and he'll look to build on his impressive sack total of 12 from a year ago. Additions made to the unit are what will truly improve the defense, though. Houston's best acquisition may well have been defensive end Antonio Smith, who will be the perfect compliment to Williams on the line. Plus, the linebacker corps got a boost with the drafting of strongside linebacker Brian Cushing, who immediately will be inserted into the starting lineup.The defense could easily be the determining factor in how the Texans season shakes out, but the offense is what will carry them. Since the Texans are rarely featured on national T.V., many fans have never had the chance to watch Johnson. Those fans are missing out. Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith grab all the attention, but the Texans have, statistically, the best of the bunch. In 2008, Andre Johnson led the league in receptions (115) and yards (1575). More than any other top-notch receiver, Johnson has the ability to do whatever is necessary, as he can be a deep-threat, a possession receiver or anything in between. Then there's Slaton, who last season made a big splash a rookie, and Daniels, who is quickly turning into an incredible tight end. In 2008, the offense ranked third in the NFL in yards per game with 382.1 and fourth in the league in passing yards with 266.7. Clearly, the Texans offense gives defensive coordinators trouble. With so many weapons to work with, it is hard to gameplan against them because their isn't a single player you can focus on. Putting two men on Johnson frees up Daniels and second receiver Kevin Walter, and you can't put eight defenders in the box, because that leaves the lethal receivers with man coverage. The Texans offense has the chance to be the best in the NFL in 2009. The AFC is without question the best conference in the NFL. With powerhouse teams such as the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, this conference routinely produces the league's champion. That makes it all the more harder for a dark horse team to pull through and make a run in the playoffs. But the Texans have that chance in 2009. Houston has a difficult road to the postseason playing in the AFC South, but making a run isn't out of the question. Just look at the Jacksonville Jaguars, who put everything together and earned a wild card spot in 2007. Jacksonville was never expected to go to the playoffs, but the Jaguars offense turned out to solid, though not nearly as good as the what the Texans have in 2009. The Texans non-divisional schedule sets up favorably with only two road games coming against teams that made the playoffs last season (Arizona and Miami). Of course, Houston does have to face the Colts and Titans twice, which won't be easy. With a healthy Schaub, explosive offense and solid defense, the Texans have the opportunity to surprise many by reaching the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's history.