Their next two games (at Miami, vs. NE) look intimidating, but really they aren’t.
Miami will be playing a quarterback in his first year as starter, Chad Henne, who doesn’t have the big game experience that is necessary in a game like this. He’s been intercepted eight times in his last four games, while throwing only four TDs. Accordingly, Miami has had to rely on their running game all season, and rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. The Texans, on the other hand, have allowed 100 rushing yards only once in their last eleven games, and the run-heavy Dolphins will have trouble gaining yards against an ever-improving Texans defense. The game against NE is an easy one. The Pats will be coming off a playoff-clinching win against the Jaguars, and should be resting some of their key offensive starters. But what’s more important is the Texans’ passing attack. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are becoming one of the biggest combos in the game, and will tear apart the young Patriots secondary.
However, the Texans will need a little help from their fellow AFC contenders. There are still seven teams fighting for the two AFC wild card spots. Since Houston will be winning out, the other four 7-7 teams will only have to lose once, and they all will. Jacksonville will lose in New England in Week 16; the Dolphins will lose against Houston in Week 16; the Jets will lose their two remaining games in Indianapolis and against Cincinnati; and the Steelers will lose in Week 17 in Miami. Baltimore will lose to the Steelers and the Raiders, thus finishing the season 8-8. This sounds a little crazy, but stick with me. Pittsburgh lost to the Ravens by just three points in Week 12, and Pittsburgh will come back with a vengeance to win in Week 16. Oakland has won five games this season, four of which came against playoff contenders (Philly, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Denver). They will pull off another upset in Week 17 with Bruce Gradkowski back from a knee injury that sidelined him in Denver, and with another big game from Michael Bush, who had 133 rushing yards last week against Denver.
The 2010 postseason will be the first in franchise history for the Houston Texans (expansion team in 2002), and will secure the head coaching job of Gary Kubiak for at least another season.
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