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6. Bank on it: Texans will make the playoffs
The Texans are a year away from being a playoff team, but they are going in the right direction. The reason I say they're a year away is because they have holes in the secondary and their defensive line is still coming together. The other reason they aren't a lock to make the playoffs this season is because the Colts and Titans are better at the moment. Still, coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith have turned this franchise around by finding a quarterback (Matt Schaub) who doesn't get sacked and getting Ahman Green to spark the running game. They still need to draft a wide receiver in the first round of next year's draft and get one or two more offensive linemen to put them over the top. But they are progressing. -- John Clayton
The Texans will make the playoffs, but probably not this season. The AFC is too tough. New England, Indianapolis, San Diego and Baltimore are proven playoff-caliber teams. Pittsburgh appears ready to rejoin that group after a down season. Tennessee could be a threat. The good thing for the Texans is that the pressure is off for a while. Matt Schaub has delivered on early expectations. While we're not yet hearing how the Texans were wise in selecting Mario Williams over Reggie Bush, the big defensive end is making plays. Schaub and Williams were question marks heading into the season. If those two keep playing well, the Texans could reach .500 for the first time. -- Mike Sando