2011 NFL Team Preview
Houston Texans

2010 Record: 6-10
2010 Record ATS (Against the Spread): 6-10

Outlook:

Strengths: Offensive talents and special teams are what Houston does best.  Matt Shaub threw for 4,370 yards, 24 TD's, and only 12 INT's last season.  RB Adrian Foster had 2,220 yards from scrimmage. The team finished in the top ten for all major categories.  The offense was never held to single digits all season.  WR Andre Johnson had 86 receptions for 1,216 yards and eight touchdowns.  There is no offense that is more capable in the NFL.


Weakness:
Defense. The Texans were at the bottom of every major defensive category.  The secondary allowed 33 TD's and 18 plays over 40 yards.  The Texans defensive efforts resembled Swiss cheese more than a professional football team.

Betting Prognosis:  Last year the Texans were the preseason darlings of the betting world and the early point spreads reflected this fact.  Houston was favored 5 of the first six games and went 3-2 straight up.  After this they dropped 8 of the next 9 straight up and only covered two of those games against the betting spread.  This shows that whatever the preseason opinions are of a team, they can carry long into the regular season and sometimes all the way through.  So, what does 2011 hold for the Houston Texans?  A return to form in our opinion.  They went out and got former Dallas head coach Wade Phillips to shore up the defense.  Personally, I think the man is a "hump" as a head coach but can really coach defense, just like his old man could.  The Texans will be the preseason darlings again and a great deal is expected of them this year. They could easily end the season at 11-5 or 12-4 and finally overcome the Indianapolis Colts for division leader status.  Game one vs. Indianapolis will be huge and the Texans will actually be favored, and if they aren't then they should be. Bet the Texans in this game to win outright.  Bet them again at Indianapolis, especially if they are getting points.

When to Bet this Team:
Bet this team when they are single digit favorites against bad or mediocre teams.. Bet this as an underdog at anytime and anywhere.

Key Matchups:
Week 1 vs. Indianapolis
Week 3 vs. Dallas
Week 7 at Indianapolis

The Texans should win these three games and if they do "they are who we thought they were", to put it in the immortal words of Coach Denny Green.