October 25, 2012
Atop the AFC at the Bye
by Bob Hulsey

Defeating the Baltimore Ravens at home was huge for the 6-1 Houston Texans. Dropping the only other team close to them in the conference standings gives them a virtual 1-1/2 game lead on the field coming out of their bye week because they have the tie-breaker over Baltimore and at least a 1-1/2 game edge over three-loss New England, Denver and San Diego heading out of the last weekend in October.

The off week gives the Texans a chance to rest some of their walking wounded like cornerback Jonathan Joseph and running back Ben Tate. Both should be back to top form in November.

Through seven games, Arian Foster led the NFL in rushing with 659 yards, although he will give up that lead in the off week. That could also be the same for J.J. Watt who leads the NFL in sacks with 9.5.

As a club, the Texans are second in the league in points per game (30.9) while their defense is fifth in points allowed (18.3), tops in the AFC. They are tied for fifth in the NFL in turnover differential (+7).

For the month of November, the Texans will face two fairly easy home games against AFC opponents and two challenging prime-time road games from the other conference. First up will be the Buffalo Bills who will likely take a 3-5 record into the matchup. The Bills score a lot of points but also give up a lot of points. They'll have free agent signee Mario Williams with them, but he may not play after hand surgery.

A Sunday-nighter in Chicago against Jay Cutler and the surprising Bears will come next. Will mid-November weather be a factor in the Windy City and will the Texans' special teams be able to contain playmaker Devin Hester?

The following week is a home date against Jacksonville which is both bad and beaten up. By that time, Blaine Gabbert and Maurice Jones-Drew may be back to health, but, even then, expect the Texans to expand their division record to 3-0.

Houston will hope to be healthy themselves for a Thanksgiving Day matchup in Detroit with the feisty Lions. Again, they'll get to play before a national audience, their fourth of the year. Hard to say if the Lions will still be in playoff contention, but they usually show extra vigor on Turkey Day and could spring an upset if the Texans aren't focused.

The reward for the short week will be a nine-day mini-bye before starting December in Nashville and the Texans might enjoy the rest before gearing up for the final five weeks and then the playoffs.

Expect Houston to be no worse than 9-2 and no worse than tied for the top spot in the AFC when the month is over. That ought to be something for Houston fans to feel thankful for.

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