2015 Opponents

[Keith]

Texans get the NFC South and AFC East next year, and the second place finishers in the AFC West and AFC North.

Home: Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Jets, Patriots, Bucs, Saints, Chiefs
Away: Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Bills, Dolphins, Falcons, Panthers, Bengals

Only five games against 2014 playoff teams: Colts (x2), Patriots, Panthers, and Bengals.

The Patriots matchup will be an interesting one given the ties between O'Brien and Crennel with that team. Wonder if that could be a prime time affair. Hopefully this is early in the season before the Pats find their stride. The rest of the home schedule looks rather manageable.

The road schedule on paper doesn't seem all that daunting either, but then again, the team still has yet to win in Indy, and I imagine there are tough battles in store against the Bengals and Panthers. I wouldn't sleep on the Bills if they find a way to improve at QB, and while the Texans have historically played well in Miami, that is an improving team.

[Arky]

I keep going back to both Indy games as the pivotal games of the year. Win just one of those two and maybe both the Texans and Colts finish 10-6. As it is, the Colts sweep the division, the Texans go 0-2 against the Colts but good job by the Texans to go 4-0 over the two other ugly sisters.

Seems like a good challenging schedule next year. The priority, I think, is always within the division......

Other stuff I know not where to put:

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The Texans finish 7th in the AFC, tops among several 9-7 teams. The Eagles finish 7th in the NFC with a 10-6 record. Ouch.

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I've got the Texans picking about 19th in the draft - plus/minus 1.

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Watt is getting some national media love for MVP but it might not be enough to overcome the East coast/national love for Rodgers/Green Bay/playoff team....

[Arky]

Oops, Chronicle is reporting the Texans have the 16th pick in the 2015 draft....

[HPF Bob]

I'm wishing we had a killer roster next year just because this schedule is the perfect season to take advantage of it to get a first-round bye. Instead, we will probably have QB issues and more problems on STs, pass defense and scoring points. This is an easy 13-3 schedule for a very good team. For the Texans, it might still be 11-5 but not because we'll be that good.

It would be sweet, though, if we had a healthy and effective Clowney and Nix next season to pair with Watt, Mercilus and Crick. We may be smart to build up the defense next year and win a lot of 17-7 games.

[HPF Bob]

16th spot in the draft isn't terrible. I could see a decent QB falling to us although I'd rather see us go a different direction. If we could draft another CB like Dunta, that wouldn't be too shabby.

[Arky]

I think the veterans on the Texans have to be encouraged by the 9-7 finish. Guys like Foster, Myers, D Brown and AJ - especially AJ after his summertime disgruntlement - have to think the arrow is pointing up. If OB can take this team to a better record in 2015 - and I think most of us are expecting a better record, then we've probably got us a really good head coach. Taking a 2-14 team to 9-7 with 4 QB's.... pretty impressive....

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I believe we'll know in a couple of months (March 10 deadline?) how the Mallett situation will work out. Most likely, they make him an offer. Most likely, he accepts. Obviously, the 2015 Texans need stability at the QB position to shake a leg in the division and/or playoffs.... This (expected) signing should shed some light on the direction they go in the draft....i.e. probably won't take and early round QB although, if Cardale Jones (Ohio State) comes out, that could get interesting...

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Possible prime time games in 2015? Colts, naturally and possibly Patriots or Bengals....

[WMH]

Based on '14 records, which usually doesn't mean everything but usually means a little.....

Texans have the 3rd easiest schedule. Obviously playing the Hags and Titans twice has something to do with that.
Indy has the 2nd easiest.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...lcons-at-no-32