Houston Texans: Predicting Each Matchup Part One

The season is close. Real close. Houston Texans football is almost here.

With just one preseason game to go, I decided to go through the matchups for the first half of the season and try and predict the Texans record.

Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins

This will be an interesting week one matchup. The Texans have not displayed what type of team they can be offensively with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson sitting out most of the preseason; however Fitzpatrick is looking a little more comfortable with Bill O’Brien‘s system and looks like a sure upgrade over Matt Schaub. The secondary will be tested with Robert Griffin III having two exceptional targets in Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Nonetheless, it appears Griffin III is still in a slump after injuring his knee two seasons ago.

Prediction: Houston’s pass rush will be too much for Washington’s frail offensive line. Texans 20-13

Week 2: at Oaklan Raiders

Houston will play its first road game of the season against former teammate Matt Schaub. The Texans will have plenty of opportunities to score this game as I expect the defense to force numerous 3-and-outs. Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt will absolutely dominate this game.

Prediction: Texans 21-10

Week 3: at New York Giants

There’s no telling what type of year the Giants will have. Their defense isn’t what it once was and Eli Manning has looked terrible once again in the preseason. This is a shot in the dark.

Prediction: Giants 24-13

Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has added some decent talent to their squad in the past few years. E.J. Manuel has been an OK quarterback but the Texans will expose his youth at NRG Stadium.

Prediction: Texans 27-10

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Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys

As much as I hate to say it, I believe Dallas’s offense will out score Houston’s. We have yet to find out how well Bill O’Brien’s offense will gel by week 5, but if the Texans can find their rhythm and the secondary can find a way to contain Cowboys WRs, Houston could definitely pull off the upset.

Prediction: Cowboys win at home 27-17

Week 6: vs. Indianapolis Colts

This will be the make or break game for the Texans. With the Colts expected to win the division, Houston could make a statement this week and defeat Luck and company. Indianapolis will get Reggie Wayne back and have added Hakeem Nicks, but I expect the Texans to come out on top at home.

Prediction: Texans defeat Colts in a close one 24-21

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers struggled last year starting their season off 2-6, but almost snuck into the playoffs after winning six of their next eight. I expect Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger to bounce back from last year.

Prediction: Steelers win on Monday night in a dog fight 14-13.

Week 8: at Tennessee Titans

It seems like the Titans look worse and worse every year. They were one of the two teams the Texans defeated in their atrocious 2013 season. I expect Houston to be clicking on all cylinders this game.

Prediction: Texans win easily 24-10

Be sure to check back before the season for the rest of my predictions.