The Houston Texans<\/strong>‘ 9-7 record from last season may not seem overly impressive on paper, but it’s important to recognize that they put together nearly double-digit wins despite the significant issues they had at quarterback.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2015 Houston Texans\u00a0Odds to win the 2016 Super Bowl: 50\/1<\/strong> While the Texans’ 2014-15 campaign didn’t exactly go according to plan, it should have left fans in Houston with a sense of optimism of what’s to come.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Let’s take a look at each game on Houston’s\u00a0schedule and determine whether or not to bet over or under on the 8.5\u00a0games predicted for this group this year.<\/p>\n Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Kansas City (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Week 1\u00a0will be the first time we see\u00a0Houston’s\u00a0newest\u00a0QB\u00a0and (hopefully) improved\u00a0defense. The Chiefs\u00a0went 9-7 last in 2014-15\u00a0and was sub-.500 on the road.\u00a0Let’s chalk this up for a Texans win.<\/p>\n Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 @\u00a0Carolina (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton has beat to hell last season, and that’s why the team did what it needed to do to help protect him better this season, including signing Michael Oher.\u00a0If the addition works according to plan, Houston will have a difficult time getting to Newton, and that will be bad news for the Texans.<\/p>\n Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Tampa Bay (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Jameis Winston is officially on board for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that’s not going to instantly turn things around for this group — especially in Week 3. Texans get a win to advance to 2-1.<\/p>\n Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 @\u00a0Atlanta (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n By this point in the season, Houston should be jelling\u00a0with an offense and have a better feel for success at quarterback.\u00a0Atlanta is another team transitioning, so Houston should have the edge.<\/p>\n Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 8\u00a0vs.\u00a0Indianapolis (8:25 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Indianapolis is going to remind the Texans that even an easy schedule has speed bumps along the way.\u00a0Houston has historically struggled against the Colts, and that trend should continue with the best receiver in team history now on the other side.<\/p>\n Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18 @ Jacksonville (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n The only upside to a Thursday game against the Colts is that it gives the Texans plenty of time to prepare for a road contest in Week 6 against Jacksonville.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Texans’ defense should be too much for Jacksonville, so you’re looking at a relatively easy win — even if it’s relatively low scoring for both sides<\/p>\n Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 @\u00a0Miami (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n This has the potential to be a close contest. Miami has improved, but has it improved enough to be considered a conference contender? Let’s look at Houston as the slight favorite.<\/p>\n Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 vs. Tennessee (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Unless Marcus Mariota has managed to turn around the entire Tennessee Titans organization on his own, this should be an easy win for the Texans. *Spoiler alert: A lot of teams are going to be using that exact same sentence about their chances against Tennessee this season.<\/p>\n Week 10: Monday, Nov. 16 @\u00a0Cincinnati (8:30 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Houston\u00a0has\u00a0two postseason\u00a0victories\u00a0against Cincinnati, but it was\u00a0the Bengals that had Houston’s number last season.\u00a0It’s quite possible Houston has a sense of complacency following a bye week, losing a close one to Cincinnati.<\/p>\n Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs.\u00a0New York Jets\u00a0(1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Welcome back, Ryan Fitzpatrick. His homecoming should be a solid one — for the Texans. A win puts Houston at 7-3 at this point in the season.<\/p>\n Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29\u00a0vs.\u00a0New Orleans (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n This one’s a toss-up. New Orleans is going through change, which balances the odds a bit. Winnable game? Absolutely. Will Houston win? We’ll say no until we see how both side are performing entering Week 12.<\/p>\n Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 @ Buffalo (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Week 13 should feature a low-scoring contest on both sides. Luckily for Houston, we’ve got it squeaking out a win regardless.<\/p>\n Week 14: Sunday Dec. 13 vs. New England (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n And here are the Super Bowl champions from the 2013-14 season. Unlike the contest against the Bills, we’re probably looking at a barn burner here. Also unlike the contest against the Bills, we’ve got the Patriots as the ones squeaking out the victory.<\/p>\n Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Barring an unforeseen dominance from Houston, Andre Johnson will likely get the 2-0 series victory against\u00a0the\u00a0Texans.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63752&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The playoffs, however, will still be within reach for this Houston squad regardless of what happens in Week 15.<\/p>\n Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27 @\u00a0Tennessee (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember what we said about the Tennessee Titans? Still applies a few weeks late. Victory: Houston.<\/p>\n Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3\u00a0vs.\u00a0Jacksonville (1 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n And so we reach the end of the regular season. Houston\u00a0will need this win to reach double-digit victories. And you know what? It’s going to get it.<\/p>\n The 8.5 win projection seems low. Count this team in for the over, going for 10 wins when it’s all said and done.<\/p>\n\n
Texans\u00a0Odds<\/h3>\n
\n2015 Houston Texans\u00a0Odds to win the 2015 AFC\u00a0Conference: 20\/1<\/strong>
\n2015 Season Win Total: Falcons 8.5 wins (OVER -125 , UNDER -105); 2014 wins: 9<\/strong>
\n***2015 BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong>
\n[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nWeek 9: Bye<\/h3>\n
2015 Texans\u00a0NFL Prediction<\/h3>\n