It’s tough going in the AFC South. The Indianapolis Colts are one of the best teams in the league. They’ve been towards the top of the division since its inception in 2002. Peyton Manning doesn’t miss games and seems to find offensive replacements every season. It looks like another team from that division is poised to make some noise. The Houston Texans are suppose to take the expected leap towards the playoffs. They have a potent running attack stemming from head coach Gary Kubiak’s tenure with the Denver Broncos.

Matt Schaub has been a fantasy stud the past few seasons. Andre Johnson is in the discussion for the best wide receiver in the NFL. Steve Slaton had a solid year two seasons ago, but they’re expecting a lot more from their running game this upcoming season. Arian Foster is the complementary back that will spell Slaton. Kubiak is an interesting coach in the fact that he loves using tight ends. He has some of the better receiving TEs, but all three are coming off injuries during the 2009 season. The headliner is Owen Daniels. Expect Daniels to get a lot of catches this season because Kubiak loves to switch it up out of the two tight end sets.

The defensive front seven continues to be a great strength for the Texans. Amobi Okoye, Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell will be the primary defensive tackle rotation. They’re all solid players working with the coaching staff to improve the pass rush. If they can get push up the middle, it pushes the opposing QB towards former overall number one pick Mario Williams. Williams will continue to prove why the Texans decided to take him first overall a few years ago. The linebackers might be the greatest strength. Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans is a returning Pro Bowler. Outside backer Brian Cushing is the reigning defensive Rookie of the Year. Third linebacker Zac Diles doesn’t get the promotions like Ryans or Cushing, but he’s a solid run defender. The weakness is the inexperience in the secondary for the Texans. The coaching staff will do a great job covering for the secondary.

The Texans are a good football team. They’re looking to join the elite teams that can make the playoffs for many years. The problem they face is having Manning and the Colts in their division. The Colts will win 13 games. The Texans will make that stride this season and go to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Schaub is a quality NFL starter. Johnson might be the best wide receiver in the NFL. Look for the defense to make great strides. They’re the key for the Texans to get into the playoffs. It’s the old adage, run and stop the run wins football games. The Texans can stop the run, but will Slaton have a bounce back year and put up great numbers. I expect he can and the Texans will win 11 games, enough to get one of the wild card spots.