NFL Betting: Houston Texans Season Preview

In less than a week, the Houston Texans will kick off their 11th season in the NFL and the 7th under head coach Gary Kubiak, but unlike previous years, this time odds makers are predicting an easy 2012 run for the team.

Houston will enter the regular season coming off a 10-6 record in 2011, in which the team earned its first playoff berth and division title in franchise history.  The team also ended the 2012 NFL Preseason with a highly respectable 3-1 record, scoring victories vs. Carolina (26–13), San Francisco (20-9), and Minnesota (28-24), as well as one reverse vs. New Orleans (27-34).

In case you haven't followed the news lately, the Texans are literally stacked with talented players. One of the key points for Houston this season is the offense, which racked up points on their way to 10 wins and the playoffs in 2011. No starters are out with major injuries for Houston, and the players who did have minor problems with injury should be back on the field for Week 1 Game vs. the Dolphins.

With RB Arian Foster healthy and QB Matt Schaub returning with WR Andre Johnson, the Texan's offense is ready to take on any team this year. Schaub had a strong preseason performance, completing 29-of-38 passing attempts for 374 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and ranking in 5th position among starting quarterbacks in the preseason.

The team suffered a sensible injury during the preseason was to backup right tackle Rashad Butler, who was forced to leave the field in the final preseason game against the Vikings and was sent to injured reserve soon after. Houston immediately signed 27-year-old and former Broncos Offensive Tackle Ryan Harris, a fifth-year veteran who started 34 games with the Denver.

Harris joins third-year pro Andrew Gardner and left tackle Duane Brown. With the incorporation of Harris, Houston became the most onerous team in the NFL with 22 players signed this season, reaching the NFL limit of 53 players on their active roster.

Houston also made some defensive adjustments during the preseason. After losing DE Mario Williams, who went to Buffalo via free agency, the team drafted DE Whitney Mercilius out of Illinois to fill a major void. Linebacker Brian Cushing and DE J.J. Watt are the leaders of the defense, and their secondary consists of Kareem Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, and Danieal Manning. Houston's defense ranked No. 2 (285.7 ypg) and set franchise record with 44 sacks in 2011.

Houston Texans Schedule:

Week 1    vs Miami Dolphins
Week 2    @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 3    @ Denver Broncos
Week 4     vs Tennessee Titans
Week 5     @ New York Jets
Week 6     vs Green Bay Packers
Week 7     vs Baltimore Ravens
Week 8     BYE
Week 9     vs Buffalo Bills
Week 10   @ Chicago Bears
Week 11    vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 12    @ Detroit Lions
Week 13    @ Tennessee Titans
Week 14    @ New England Patriots
Week 15     vs Indianapolis Colts
Week 16     vs Minnesota Vikings
Week 17     @ Indianapolis Colts

2012 Houston Texans Odds:
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: +400
Odds to Win AFC Championship: +250
Odds to Win AFC South Division:-650

Early odds on NFL had Houston listed at +1200 to win the NFL Title, and -500 to retain their crown as AFC South champs, but in recent weeks, the Texans moved to take the lead as favorites to win the AFC South Division, AFC Championship and Super Bowl XLVII.

Now, here comes the reality check. No one can be a hundred percent sure that that is going to be the case. Oddmakers are sure the Texans are going to be good, and that's all we can take for granted. But first QB Matt Schaub needs to stay healthy and play at least the majority of games, just as WR Andre Johnson and RB Arian Foster. It’s clear the team has potential, but first they have to play and beat strong teams such as the Patriots, Ravens, and the Steelers to be able to contend for the Super Bowl.

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