Houston Texans: 5 key players on defense

The Houston Texans are coming off a year in which the lost a key player at almost every spot defensively. And even without players like Brian Cushing, Jonathan Joseph, Brooks Reed, and Daryl Sharpton they still managed to put together a 12 win year, and had the NFL's DPOY. Coming into the 2013-14 season this defense needs to stay healthy to make the deep.playoff run that's expected by the team and coaches this season. They'll also need certain players to step up and make big plays throughout the season. Here's 5 players that the Texans will need to have an impact to get them to their team goal of a Super Bowl title.

1. JJ Watt: Of course the reigning DPOY is first on this list. After having a season for the ages Watt may need to be a more disruptive force than he was last season. His 20.5 sacks and 15 deflected passed shows you just how much of a force the kid is. If the Texans defense is going to be better than last year I honestly believe Watt will have to be better. That may sound crazy but as much as he did, he could still do more. One thing he can do is make sure everyone on that defense understands where the ball is at all times. Watt's gotten other lineman on the Texans in the habit of putting their hands in the air as well to tip passes. Many of those passes didn't get caught after being tipped, that would make a huge difference defensively. Also Watt played most of the season still not at 100% after injuring his elbow before the start of the regular season last year. This guy had maybe the best year ever statistically for any defensive linemen, with a numb elbow. If that's true this year could be historic for Watt.

2. Brian Cushing: The Texans MLB is the soul of this defense. Even with everything JJ Watt did last season the Texans defense never really seemed as aggressive as it was before they lost Cushing to injury last year. They did win the AFC South title and a playoff game, but the defensive unit was definitely not the same without him. Cushing was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009 and in each season Cushing's played all 16 games he's recorded over 100 tackles. The Texans know with him on the field they can count on him being a factor in every facet of the defense. As long as Cushing is healthy, the skies the limit for Wade Phillips defense.

3. Jonathan Joseph: After a very disappointing 2010 season the Texans wanted to bolster their secondary and make it better quickly. Since coming to the Texans J-Jo has been as advertised in terms of making an impact and stopping opposing WR's consistently. Last season Joseph was hampered by injuries. When he's healthy the Texans pass defense is one of the best in football. When asked this week if he'd watched film from last season and noticed a difference in his play. His answer was "yes." If the Texans have any chance at winning the AFC and getting to their goal.of the Super Bowl they'll Joseph healthy.

4. Ed Reed: The Texans let their starting safety walk as Glover Quin left to play in Detroit for more money. The thought was that they'd be able to get future Hall Of Fame S Ed Reed in free agency. The Texans got Reed and are hopeful after a surgery on his hip this offseason he'll be ready for the week 1 game against the Chargers. Reed has personally told close friend and new teammate WR Andre Johnson he'd be ready by week 1 so I think he'll ne out there. What Reed brings to a defense is really unquestionable. His ability to find the ball and make plays has spoke for itself for years. As a member of the Ravens Reed broke almost every stat record he could at the S position. And now the greatest ball hawk the game's ever seen will be playing with JJ Watt. A pass tipping machine, and Watt isn't the only player that looks to get his hands on passes on the Texans defense. He's got it instilled in the whole units mind, if you can't get to the QB find where he's throwing it and get your hands up. Reed will only benefit from this type of play. I believe he could have one of his best years as a pro on the Texans mainly because of that.

5. Shane Lechler: As you read this you're probably thinking why I put a punter on this list. Obviously it's a special teams position, but when your teams P can make the type of differences in a game Lechler can they become defensive players. Imagine starting every drive inside your own 20 against the Texans defense. Imagine stopping them having to punt from the 20 and still, you're starting from inside your own 20. That's the advantage Lechler gives the Texans. It's the opinion of many people that Lechler is the best at his position in the game. His average kick last season was 47 yards.  When Lechler became a free agent the Texans were a team he'd thought he could sign with. The last time the Texas native was a free agent the Texans showed interest but the Raiders made him the highest paid P in the game. Now after sitting through many years on a losing team Lechler's come back home to help the Texans win big.

Houston Texans: 5 key players on offense

After losing in the divisional round of the playoffs for the 2nd straight year the Houston Texans goal for 2013-14 is getting to the Super Bowl. On offense the Texans have been a pretty solid team but feel TheU needed a few more weapons to get them to their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl title. Here's a look at the Texans top 5 players on the offensive side of the ball.

1. Arian Foster: Foster has went from an undrafted free agent RB to a top tier RB in the league. He's the work horse of the Texans offense, and led the league in carries with 351 last season. After leading the league in yards back in 2010 Foster missed 3 games in 2011 and still tallied over 1,300 yards rushing. His 17 TD's led the league last season as he played in every game returning to form. If the Texans are going to make it to the promise land they'll need Foster to be the RB he's been over the past 3 seasons. Since 2010 he's racked up 3,994 yards, 37 TD's, and over 4 yards per carry.

2. Andre Johnson: Since entering the league Andre Johnson has been one of if not the best WR in football. Until last season when Calvin Johnson did it o only Andre and Jerry Rice had ever led the league in receiving yards consecutively. And though it was his 10th season Johnson showed no signs of letting up. At 1,598 yards on 110 catches he had his best statistical season yet as a pro. The Texans all time leading receiver also eclipsed the 800 catches, and 11,000 yards last season. 

3. Matt Schaub: After losing to the Patriots twice last season and one of those losses ending the Texans season, Texans QB Matt Schaub has taken plenty of criticism as of late. Schaub has been the Texans starting QB since he was traded for in 2007 and hasn't ever looked back. The biggest knocks against him is that he is injury prone and he doesn't shoe up big in big games. Both can be argued and for Schaub to win over the people who've been critical of him he'll have to play at a high level for the whole season. Which I believe he can do, given a totally healthy offensive line and receiving core. Even with the 2 losses to New England Schaub still is a good QB in the NFL. The Texans won 12 games last season behind Schaub, only Peyton Manning had more wins last year. And the Texans beat his Broncos in Denver behind a 300 yard passing performance from Schaub.

4. Duane Brown: Regardless of how you feel about the importance of a good offensive line one thing is a fact. If you want to win big in the NFL you need to protect your QB's blindside. Most every team that's won a Super Bowl in recent memory has gone off that model. Knowing this, the Texans shouldn't be too far off their goal of a Super Bowl title with All Pro LT Duane Brown protecting Schaub n the pocket. Brown was the Texans 1st rd pick in 2008 and is now arguably the best player at his position in the whole league. Brown played for a stretch from 2011 to 2012 in which he didn't have one holding penalty and didn't give up a sack. y garnered him a Pro Bowl spot and a NFL All Pro selection in 2012.

5. DeAndre Hopkins: Not since 2003 when the Houston Texans took Andre Johnson in the 1st round had the team ever used anything higher than a 2nd round pick on a WR until now. DeAndre Hopkins was drafted this year to be the compliment Johnson's never had during his time as a Texan. Hopkins is a naturally gifted athlete. His last season at Clemson he caught 14 TD's and had over 1,400 receiving yards. After 2 embarrassing losses to the offensive power house that is the New England Patriots the Texans knee they needed to address this problem right away. With hid speed and raw ability Hopkins could turn the Texans offense into something really special. Andre Johnson has gotten double teamed and covered over the top for at least 5 straight years now and still manages good numbers. If teams still play like that Hopkins should be able to make them pay. With Hopkins on the field lain with Johnson teams will have to pick which WR they want to double team, much like the Atlanta Falcons with Roddy White and Julio Jones. If the Texans get production to the tune of 55-65 catches, 800-950 yards, and 5-7 TD's out of Hopkins he due his job. And if you couple that with a healthy Andre Johnson you might have the best 1-2 WR combo in the AFC.

The Houston Texans looking to get over the hump in 2013-14

After winning their division and winning one playoff game in each of the last 2 season's the Houston Texans are now hoping they can get to that next level and make it to the franchises first ever Super Bowl. Many people believe the Texans are right where they need to be with playmakers at almost every key position from Andre Johnson to Arian Foster on the offensive side. To JJ Watt and Brian Cushing on the defensive side. With the addition of future Hall Of Famer Ed Reed to the already stout Texans defense, and QB Matt Schaub coming off a good year in which he played every game, the team actually looks better on paper than they did to start last season.

One big need the Texans had last year was a consistent deep threat. They addressed this in the draft picking DeAndre Hopkins out of Clemson. Hopkins finished last year with over 1,400 yards receiving and 18 TD's at Clemson. He's explosive and will compliment Andre Johnson nicely. For years Johnson has been the only real threat outside for the Texans. Getting him help was a priority of the team this off season and they believe Hopkins is the answer. Add Hopkins to an offensive unit that already had 7 Pro Bowlers and the Texans feel they are ready to face anyone, and feel they can play with any team in the league.

Defensively the Texans were really hood last season led by the reigning Defensive Player of The Year JJ Watt. Watt's outrageous season included him getting 20.5 sacks, 15 passes deflected, and 39 tackles for loss. While the Texans did sign S Ed Reed they also signed another veteran that'll help the teams defense tremendously. P Shane Lechler. Lechler was a free agent after spending his entire career with the Raiders. He's from the Houston area and like Texans place kicker Randy Bullock he went to Texas A&M. Lechler's big leg should make sure that opposing offenses have to travel the whole length of the field to get into the end zone against the Texans defense.

The Texans have put together this team with the goal of winning a Super Bowl this season. They know it's not an easy task, but believe they have the talent to get them there and win. While many say they aren't quite there yet consider this. The Texans beat last year's Super Bowl Champions 43-13 at Reliant Stadium.