The Houston Texans were inexplicably the worst team in the NFL during a lost 2014 season \u2013 something they hope to change with a new coach, some new pieces and the No. 1 Overall pick in the draft suiting up for them in 2014. <\/p>\n
A 14 game losing streak to end 2013 forced management to change the culture \u2013 Coach Gary Kubiak was replaced by Bill O\u2019Brien and the team addressed the enormous quarterback needs with the signing of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick \u2013 hmmmm!<\/p>\n
Through all the negativity that surrounds the Texans ahead of this year, there is a little tiny shining light \u2013 Jadeveon Clowney looks like the real deal and should bolster a terrible defense and the Texans do play the third easiest schedule in the NFL this upcoming season.<\/p>\n
Will that be enough to return Houston to prominence or is this team destined to record another sub .500 season? Let\u2019s take a peek.<\/p>\n
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- Houston Texans Betting Lines to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX\u00a066\/1<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Houston Texans Betting Lines to win the 2015 AFC Conference\u00a028\/1<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Houston Texans Betting Lines to Win the 2014 AFC South\u00a0+300<\/strong><\/li>\n
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The Houston Texans will be better that they were in 2013 \u2013 they absolutely have to be. But a closer look at the team reveals the fact that they may not be the bounce back squad that many Texans fans envision.<\/p>\n
Arian Foster is already banged up and Ryan Fitzpatrick is hardly the answer for any team\u2019s quarterbacking question. Is Fitz better than Matt Schaub of Case Keenum \u2013 maybe. Is that saying much?<\/p>\n
\nCLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Absolutely not! Look, there is a chance that Fitzpatrick has the season of his life but more-than-likely he will give way to Houston\u2019s fourth-round pick Tom Savage who seems to be a better fit for new Coach Bill O\u2019Brien\u2019s scheme.<\/p>\n
Either quarterback will be tasked with getting the ball to injury-prone Andre Johnson who wasn\u2019t quiet about his displeasure of the direction the Texans are heading in. He desired a trade that didn\u2019t happen \u2013 it will be interesting to see just how motivated Johnson is to return to his elite form.
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\nBehind Johnson is DeAndre Hopkins, a second year pass catcher that had moments last year but made far too many mental mistakes for me to be excited about him. Owen Daniels is gone making the Houston passing game an enormous question mark ahead of this season.<\/p>\nAs previously mentioned, Arian Foster is already injured \u2013 as unreliable a back as there is right now in the NFL \u2013 unfortunately. Andre Brown was brought in case Foster is forced to miss any time. Ben Tate is in Cleveland so the need for a reliable backup was paramount and Brown is that guy.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s be honest \u2013 nobody saw the defensive collapse of the Houston Texans coming. They were fifth-worst in the league in tackles made with 986 and had only 32 sacks last season which was second worst in the whole NFL – AND THEY HAVE JJ WATT!!!<\/p>\n
Jadeveon Clowney should help \u2013 he is a can\u2019t miss prospect that makes an impact right away \u2013 assuming his work ethic is where it needs to be! Whitney Mercilus and Brian Cushing still exist in the Texans defense \u2013 there seems to be little excuse as to why the Texans can\u2019t turn things around in 2014.<\/p>\n
2014 Season Betting Prediction:<\/h3>\n
Despite the ugly 2-14 record last year the Texans played some of the top teams tough and assuming that health doesn\u2019t derail their season again, the Texans could be one of the most improved teams in the NFL this year.<\/p>\n
While I don\u2019t expect them to make a run at any sort of title, I do like the Texans to surpass the 7.5 win total that Vegas has set for them.<\/p>\n
Houston is an 8-8 team all day long \u2013 good for second in the AFC South.<\/p>\n
With training camps nearly over the NFL betting season is here at Cappers Picks.\u00a0NFL Football handicappers<\/a>\u00a0have been hard at work putting out the team by team\u00a0Football Predictions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NFL Season Previews<\/a>\u00a0for those of us who can\u2019t wait.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n