How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
How do you win football games? One game at a time.
While it's kind of a fun exercise to predict the final record at the start of the season, you'll find no shortage of messageboard posters that will be happy to enlighten you with their Nostradamus-like powers each and every week of the season.
Don't get me wrong, not picking at anyone here specifically, but the record that only counts is the one after Week 17. (and while I'm at it, if you read a lot of messageboards/blogs like I do, beware of anyone that declares themselves a "realist". These "realists" are almost always spewing pessimism - not realism).
Having said that, the Texans are 3-5 at the halfway point - the same record as last year at this time. Last year they finished 8-8 so I see no reason why they can't at least do that again this year.
Before the season started, I was thinking 9-7 but wouldn't have been shocked with an 8-8 finish. There were even a few very wise folks that said something along the lines of "we could go 7-9 and might be a better team (than 2007))"....
So, I'm seeing a lot of really angry, disgruntled and disappointed fans on the various Texan messageboards and blogs, undoubtedly, people who were thinking 10+ wins, playoffs, etc... My expectations were 8-9 wins so I can't say as I'm too upset at what has transpired so far (although that Colt game was a rough one). While I'll probably be disappointed with a 5 or 6 win season, we won't really know what happens until Week 17....