First of all,
I’d like to thank InsideHouston.com for giving me the opportunity to express
my insights about football. For some time now, I’ve wanted to be able
talk trash somewhere other than my couch and now I have the chance to do that.
I hope to be able to provide you with a comprehensive look at how I see the
world of football. I will always do my best to support what I believe to be
an informed opinion with facts, as any good journalist should. You will not
always agree with my opinions and that’s fine with me; it makes for great
debates. Besides if I were always right, I wouldn’t need to have opinions.
This week’s match-up against the Tennessee Titans proves
to be a difficult task for the Texans. The former H-Towners historically play
well at home and have won seven straight games there dating back to last October
6th, when they were beaten by the Redskins 31-14. The Texans gave the Titans
two great defensive battles last year, losing 17-10 and 13-3. Despite last year’s
results, I expect this game to produce a different result. Given my take on
how I expect this week to roll, here are my fantasy projections for the Texans:
David Carr (QB) – Carr is averaging 220 yds/gm so far
this season and seems to be on his way to his first 3,000-yd season. With Samari Rolle out with an injured elbow, Carr should be able to exploit the Titans’
vulnerable secondary to the tune of at least 250 yards, one TD, and probably
one INT. Tack on 25 yards rushing and you’ll have yourself a modest effort.
Stacey Mack (RB) – Mack is struggling of late, having
fumbled in each of the last two games, and is now suffering from turf toe. The
Titans boast the league’s 5th-best run defense, averaging only 82.8 yds/gm.
Mack should come into this game with something to prove, but it will be hard
for him to establish himself while splitting carries with Domanick Davis and
Tony Hollings. It’s doubtful that Mack will have more than 40 yards rushing
but I think he’ll get a goal-line TD despite the injury.
Domanick Davis (RB) – Rumor has it that Davis may start
this week, but I expect this will be nothing more than motivation to Stacey
Mack. Once Davis struggles in the opening two or three series against the Titans’
stingy run defense, we’ll be seeing a healthy dose of Mack. Davis has
potential but he’s not feature-back material at this point. Anything more
than 20 yards will surprise me.
Andre Johnson (WR) – Rookie receivers typically don’t
make big impacts when they come into the league, but Johnson has been one of
the exceptions. 26 receptions for 346 yards and 2 TDs through 4 games is more
than I would have expected. Samari Rolle’s injury will allow Johnson to
be covered by a lesser-talented cornerback, giving him better opportunities
to be a major factor. Johnson should end up with 130 yards and a touchdown.
Corey Bradford (WR) – Aside from his 78-yard TD catch
in the opener, Bradford has been silent this season. Bradford needs a breakout
game in a big way and this would seem to be a good opportunity to make that
happen. However, I just don’t see him making a consistent impact. 2 catches
for 25 yards may be generous.
Jabar Gaffney (WR) – If I thought he would score, Gaffney
would make an interesting sleeper this week. Gaffney has looked much more comfortable
in his sophomore season. His effectiveness as a 3rd receiver will continue to
help take pressure off of Andre Johnson. Look for Gaffney to pull in 4 or 5
balls for 60 yards.
Billy Miller (TE) – After leading the team in receptions
last season, Miller seems to have become the forgotten man. With the emergence
of Andre Johnson and Jabar Gaffney, Miller’s role in the offense has been
as more of a blocker. If the Texans expect to be consistently effective this
season, they’ll need to start utilizing Miller’s pass-catching skills.
Until they do, Miller is not a good play.
Kris Brown (K) – After hitting 5 field goals in the opener,
Brown has only 2 in the last 3 games. The offense should be able to cash in
on some of their opportunities this week so I expect no more than one field
goal and a few extra points.
Defense – The Texans should have no problem holding Eddie George to his usual 3 yds/carry average. The problem will be containing Steve McNair. McNair didn’t exactly blow up against the Texans last year, totaling
only 257 yards passing in 2 games. However, with Aaron Glenn unlikely to play
this week, he may very well surpass that. Aside from one or two possible turnovers
and a sack, the Texans’ defense makes about as good a play as a Hail Mary
at your opponent’s 1-yard line.
Overall outlook:
I love the fact that Dom Capers went for the win against the Jaguars instead
of the kicking the tying field goal. It shows me that he has a confidence in
this team that he didn’t have a year ago. In the Texans brief history,
they have scored 24 points three times, but have never surpassed that number.
In the two games last season, the Texans and Titans combined for 43 points.
Some people probably expect another low-scoring affair but not me. Both defenses
are hurting and this will be a shootout. The Titans are a 10-point favorite,
but the Texans heart will keep this game close all the way. Final Score: Titans
30, Texans 24.