2009 Houston Texans

The Houston Texans repeated their 8-8 record in the 2008 season, only this time they ended up in 3rd, rather than 4th, place in the AFC South. For the 2009 season, the Texans believe that they are ready to make the playoffs, and with a solid offense anchored by quarterback Matt Schaud (arguably one of the top 5 QBs in the league) and key additions to strengthen the defense (notably outside linebacker Brian Cushing and defensive end Connor Barwin), they just might make it. If you want to say you were there when the Texans made their first playoffs, then secure your Reliant Stadium tickets now and watch it all go down live in 2009!

Some Houston Texans history: The Houston Oilers were entrenched as an NFL franchise, playing their games in the Houston Astrodome, until ownership decided in 1997 that Tennessee was a more suitable venue for football. The NFL accepted Houston's proposal for an expansion team after a competing bid from Los Angeles, California, fell apart in 1999. The Texans are owned by businessman Robert McNair, and the general manager is Charley Casserly. The franchise selected its team name in September 2000. In early 2001 Houston hired Dom Capers, former defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as its first head coach. Capers was also the first head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who joined the NFL in 1995.

In 2002, while Houston knew that its offense would be young with six rookies starting there, it also built a veteran defense to carry the bulk of the load. The offense finished near the bottom of the league in nearly every offensive statistical category, but the defense remained among the better teams in the league. The running game had no playmakers and never let the offense get on track, whereas the defense kept the team competitive in most games.