If the Texans Don’t Win, Their Season is Over

The Houston Texans are on the brink of history. Of course, they are on the brink of history each and every season, as they have never beaten their division foes, the Indianapolis Colts, in Indianapolis. But this time, the Texans are coming to Indy with a 5-3 record and a very decent shot at making the playoffs. However, a loss here in Week 9, will send them into their bye week 5-4 with a slim chance to none at making the postseason.

Nobody likes to call the season over after Week 9, especially if the team has a winning record. But in this case, the Texans are facing a must win situation. If the Texans were to lose this game, they would face the Vince Young-led Titans in Week 11, then the Colts again in Week 12. I could easily see Young playing big in Houston (his hometown), and if the Colts beat the Texans this weekend, then there’s no reason to believe they can’t beat them in Week 12. Thus, a loss to the Colts this week could spring a 3-game losing steak, and a 5-6 record.

If the Texans end up 5-6, that means they would have to win out to get a 10-6 record just to have a chance at making the playoffs. Of course, a 10-6 record doesn’t guarantee the playoffs in the AFC, so even then they would be pushing it.

Ah! But a win this weekend! That changes everything.

If the Houston Texans beat Indianapolis, they are 6-3 entering the bye week. With a newfound confidence, perhaps they withstand Vince Young’s hometown rally, and maybe they can fend off the Colts again on their homefield. Even if they split those two games, they would be 7-4 entering Week 13 with a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A win there gives the Texans 8 wins, and they would need to win 2 out of 4 to have a decent shot at the playoffs, as opposed to having to win out if they lose to the Colts this weekend.

Now, you can say I’m stretching my predictions and using momentum way too much in my projections. However, momentum is a funny thing, just as these Texans are. After all, you’re talking about a team that is 13-11 over the past 25 games spanning the last two seasons, but has dropped 4 games in row, won 4 in a row, loss 3 in a row and won 7 of 10 throughout that span. They are a very young, up-and-down, emotional team, and one win or loss has proven to have a tremendous effect on their play from week to week.

So once again, the Texans need to against this Colts this week, or the most promising season of their short existence will once again come to a inadequate, heartrending, dreadful end.

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