For Texans, moving up will take true grit

For Texans, moving up will take true grit
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August 28
Houston Chronicle


"The Texans say their goal this season is to make the playoffs for the first time. If they do, what team or teams in the AFC South will they leapfrog?

During the 2007 regular season, the AFC South had the best non-division record in the NFL. Like the NFC East, which produced the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, the AFC South sent three teams to the playoffs.

Indianapolis (13-3) has ruled the division for years. Like the Colts, Jacksonville (11-5) lost in the divisional round of the playoffs, but the Jaguars did eliminate the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Tennessee completed a remarkable turnaround after going from 5-11 in 2005 and 4-12 in 2006 to 8-8 and 10-6 in the Vince Young era.

Likely candidate

Even though they’re coming off a playoff season, the Titans would seem like the most likely candidate for the Texans to pass if, indeed, they’re going to seriously compete for the playoffs.

The Texans have been horrendous against the Titans. Tennessee leads the series 10-2, including a six-game winning streak. The average margin of defeat in those six games is 6.5 points.

Young, who has a 3-0 record against his hometown team, has to play better if the Titans are going to reach their goal of returning to the playoffs and advancing rather than being eliminated in the first game.

Last season, the Titans won despite Young throwing only nine touchdown passes to go with 17 interceptions. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow was fired. Mike Heimerdinger, who coached Steve McNair during his first stint with the Titans, was hired to tutor Young, who struggled in preseason."