Season Recap - 2010 Houston Texans

Final Record: 6-10

Finished: 3^rd Place in the AFC South

2011 Draft Position: 11^th

Preseason Ranking:   12

Preseason Letter of Misfortune:

When I first opened my brand-new copy of “Madden 2003” back in, funny enough, 2003, I knew the Texans were the team for me. Why not choose to play my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, instead? Because the Texans were the newest expansion team in the league, and played the 2002 season like they were an expansion team, going 4-12. In the 2003 Madden game, the Texans, unlike the Dallas Cowboys or any other team, had no history, no losses – only potential. Seizing upon that potential, they became my franchise. David Carr became my franchise quarterback and the NFL became my virtual playground.

Now, seven years later, let’s just say the virtual Texans on my XBOX have far exceeded the abilities of the real Houston franchise. Although the Texans have yet to make the playoffs in real life, my virtual Texans are multiple Super Bowl champions. David Carr is a Hall of Fame quarterback and will not be backing up anybody on a different team anytime soon. Unfortunately, like with all sports video games, the reality of the real franchise can’t compare to the virtual success of my pixelated franchise. But there is hope. There is potential. There are playmakers on the real Houston Texans team this year.

I have never known a team to be named “the sleeper to make the playoffs" for as many years as the Texans have been picked only for them never to make the playoffs. That changes this year. With Schaub on a tear, the defense improving and Andre Johnson’s new contract, the Texans will make the playoffs as a wild-card, finishing second in the AFC South behind Indianapolis. Their running game missed a step in 2009 and will need to re-establish its form in order for Houston to truly make the playoffs, but if there ever was a team due to break through, this is the team.

They are practicing hard, over-practicing in some cases (though it hardly seems possible), and have a fairly easy schedule. Only Indianapolis (I was so happy when Manning retired in my virtual world), Dallas, San Diego and the New York Jets loom as threats for them. Even if they lose those five games (which they won’t), they still have a decent shot to finish 11-5 and finally have the break-out season everybody keeps predicting for them.

When they open the season at home against Indianapolis, Houston can take their first step to achieving their as-of-yet untapped potential.

Week 1: Defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 34-24

Ranked – 5

Baby step, learn to beat Manning and the Colts.

Week 2: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 30-27

Ranked – 3

Undefeated after the two most impressive franchise victories to date. With Dallas coming to town next week, 3-0 is by no means out of the question.

Week 3: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 27-13

Ranked – 14

Everything was going your way; you just overlooked the other team from Texas and couldn't muster the same motivation you had when Indianapolis came to visit. If you want to take that elusive step forward this year, you can't lose games like this at home.

Week 4: Defeated the Oakland Raiders, 31-24

Ranked – 10

I guess Mr. Foster does his best running AFTER halftime. Still, I think Coach Kubiak hates fantasy football.

Week 5: Lost to New York Giants, 34-10

Ranked – 16

New plan - play all Texan games on the road. After two straight home losses, Reliant Stadium becoming a house of horrors... and just in time for Halloween.

Week 6: Defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-31

Ranked – 11

The Texans rally for a win and may just have saved their season.

Week 7: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 8

Idly preparing to face the Colts.

Week 8: Lost at Indianapolis Colts, 30-17

Ranked – 13

In a statement game, the Colts reminded everybody that they still own the Texans. 

Week 9: Lost to San Diego Chargers, 29-23

Ranked – 16

If you can't win at home, you have no business being in the playoffs. The next three weeks will make or break the Texans. The Jaguars, Jets and Titans all stand ready to ruin Houston's season.

Week 10: Lost at Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-24

Ranked – 22

If you can get two hands on the ball, just catch it. At least knock it out of bounds. But don't do what you done did! That was terrible.

Week 11: Lost at New York Jets, 30-27

Ranked – 23

Rally back from a deficit just to lose in the final seconds once, shame on the other team. Rally back from a deficit just to lose in the final seconds twice, shame on you.

Week 12: Defeated the Tennessee Titans, 20-0

Ranked – 17

How much of an arse must Cortland Finnegan be to get that kind of pugilistic response out of Andre Johnson?

Week 13: Lost at Philadelphia Eagles, 34-24

Ranked – 23 (ROCKY WEEK!)

                  
            [Not pleased he has to face Baltimore with his job on the line and confused by Arian Foster's eagerness to face Ray Lewis and the Ravens D, Coach Kubiak strikes up a conversation with his star running back]
           

Coach Kubiak: What's the matter with you? Why do you wanna play these guys? Does anything normal go through your head?
           

Arian Foster: Nothing that I remember.

Coach Kubiak: They've got linebackers as big as dinosaurs. You ever fought a dinosaur, kid?

Arian Foster: Not lately.

Coach Kubiak: They can inflict a variety of damage!

Week 14: Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 34-28

Ranked – 22

And the Texans will be without a playoff spot once again.

Week 15: Lost at Tennessee Titans, 31-17

Ranked – 25

It's fine if you can't play defense, but you better be able to score some points.

Week 16: Lost at Denver Broncos, 24-23

Ranked – 25

No one can fault you for losing to the wonder that is Tim Tebow, but, seriously, double-digit losses this season was quite unacceptable.

Week 17: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-17

Final Rank - 21

Tomorrow, the 2010 Minnesota Vikings...