Finishing last season at 9-7 (4-4 home, 5-3 away), congratulations are in line for the 2009 Houston Texans for achieving their first winning season since entering the NFL in 2002. Having lost their seven games by an average of only 6.5 points, if the Texans defense can play just a bit more consistently, it is very likely that they will win at least ten games this upcoming season and be a solid contender to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Much of their recent success can definitely be attributed to Houston quarterback Matt Schaub – one of the best signal-callers in the league that nobody really talks about – and his ability to hook up with Andre Johnson, arguably the best wide-out in the game today.

Schaub threw for a Texans-best 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns en route to an impressive 98.6 passer rating – another best in team history. Additionally, Schaub’s nine 300-yard games tied him for third-best in a single season behind Rich Gannon and Drew Brees, while he and Johnson (101 REC, 1,569 YDS, 9 TD) led the NFL in passing and receiving yards, becoming the first teammates to have accomplished this feat since Brett Favre and Antonio Freeman did it in 1998.

Jumping to the other side of the ball, the defense is spearheaded by the NFL’s 2009 Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year, linebacker Brian Cushing from USC. Besides leading the Texans in tackles (134), assists (47), and forced fumbles (2 – tied with 3 others), Cushing’s 4 interceptions tied the franchise for a linebacker, while also having contributed 5 sacks (2nd on team) and 8 tackles for loss (also 2nd on team). Brian Cushing is definitely a force to be reckoned with anywhere on the field!

Besides Cushing, the Houston Texans have a few other promising players at all three levels of their defense, so if they all come to play every week look for this team to become very intimidating in 2010. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans was second in tackles (123), while leading the squad with 93 solos and 11 tackles for loss; safety Bernard Pollard was not only third in tackles (102) but tied for the team lead with 4 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown; defensive end Mario Williams led the team with 9 sacks in addition to tying linebacker Zac Diles, defensive end Antonio Smith (4.5 sacks), and Cushing, all with two forced fumbles. This is a team that really gets after the ball!

Behind the likes of Schaub and Johnson on O, and Cushing and Williams on D, this is an explosive team on the rise. Get your Houston Texans tickets now, and take the opportunity to be there as this team continues to improve and impress each and every time the Texans take the field at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.