Houston Texans: Loss To Philadelphia Eagles Leaves Dark Present, Bright Future

The Houston Texans lost an exciting game to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that it seems few people saw due to the LeBron James homecoming happening up in Cleveland at approximately the same time.

But whatever, that has made my head hurt, so let's turn to football, where the only thing here to hurt my head is my fantasy record and maybe a swift man-slap from James Harrison.

Unfortunately for the Texans, it seems as if things are falling short yet again in white seemed like such a bright and hopeful season just a few short months ago.

They opened up the season with a shocking victory against the Indianapolis Colts, the bullies of the division for the past several years and looked to be in prime position to take down all challengers with a potent offense. And then, suddenly, things fell apart.

But you know what, things fall apart, it happens, and for probably the fifth straight year in Houston, the future looks brighter than a neutron star right now.

I know, you all heard this in 2006 when the team went from a lousy two wins in 2005 to six in 2006 and beat those evil Colts for the first time in franchise history.

And then in 2007 when the team had it's first non-losing season in franchise history, going 8-8.

And then in 2008 when Steve Slaton looked like the running back of the future for the team, Andre Johnson had yet another stellar season and the team won eight games again.

And then in 2009 when Matt Schaub nearly totaled 5000 passing yards and they won nine games.

Stop me if I sound like a broken record.

Well here I am, deep into what seems to be yet another hopeful season turned downward to tell you what has been told to the fans of this team many times before, there is a future in this team, and it may not be too far away.

This Season's Schedule Was Tough

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 at Reliant Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

I know, this seems like a cop-out to be one of the main points for a bright future, but it is true, the Texans have had the toughest schedule in the league.

Their schedule is completely devoid of NFC West teams, the Carolina Panthers and the Buffalo Bills, first of all, which took out any potential "easy win" games.

Their opponents combined record this season is 140-116, the highest winning percentage of any team's opponents.

Houston always ended up playing teams at the worst possible times when their losses came around.

Against Dallas, which would be their first loss of the season, the Cowboys were coming in 0-2 and rumors were swirling that Jerry Jones was upset, and any time there is a threat of heads rolling if a team doesn't win, it's disastrous for one side. Unfortunately it was the Texans who hit disaster here.

Then there's the loss to Indy, their third loss of the season, which came off a bye week in Indianapolis. Right now I will tell you, never, ever, ever bet against Peyton Manning, at home, coming into the game with a week off beforehand to study his opponent.

A week later, San Diego strolled into town, and like clockwork, they realized it was the second half of the season and decided that it was time for their annual second half domination.

Jacksonville was their opponent the next week, and wouldn't you know it Houston had to play away, against a team coming off a bye week for the second time this season.

A trip to New York was up next against the Jets, who may as well change their nickname to butter, because you can't get them off of a roll. In the midst of their second long winning streak of the season, the green guys took care of business.

Now this week against Michael Vick's Eagles was just a flat out unfortunate loss, nothing more nothing less.

So take the record with a grain of salt, because there are excuses to be made, if you really want to.

Matt Schaub Is What Houston Hoped He Would Be

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

In 2007 the Texans took a gamble and opted to go after the much hyped Matt Schaub, who was backing up Michael Vick on the Atlanta Falcons at the time.

For two second round picks and swapping first rounders with the Falcons in 2007, the Texans gained a franchise quarterback.

His first two seasons were good, but not great, as he passed for 2200 and then 3000 yards in 2007 and 2008, but he showed much promise.

He broke loose last season with 4770 yards and 29 touchdown passes, but still had a handful of interceptions at 15.

His play has been consistent this season, and while he has not quite put up the huge numbers he did last season, he is still on pace to put up over 4000 yards and post a QB rating of over 90 for the third straight season.

I think it's fair to say that Matt Schaub will be a big part of this team for many years into the future, and that should be something that instills confidence in the team and it's fans, as a steady quarterback situation is one of the best things to have to create a winning football team.

Arian Foster and The Rest Of The Offense

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans catches a pass during warm ups before playing the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This season's biggest surprise has no doubt been Arian Foster, and considering he totaled 257 rush yards a season ago, this is one hell of a sophomore slump.

Foster is closing in on 2000 yards from scrimmage this season, a mark that only 57 players have reached in the super bowl era.

Along with Foster, they still have Andre Johnson operating at a top level, and who is considered by many the top receiver in the league.

Their offense has gained the third most yards this season, at just over 4400 and is doing so with an extremely balanced attack that gives them both one of the best passing and running games in the NFL.

The only problem is that their yardage totals hasn't translated to points as much as the other teams that boast a prolific offense, as they have the tenth most points in the league at 264.

Scoring more often is something that should come with experience, as they will become better in the red zone and at not turning the ball over as they become more cohesive as a unit and seasoned as players.

Higher Draft Picks=Always Awesome

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers breaks up a pass intended for Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

It is no secret that the Texans Achilles Heel has been their ability to stop teams from scoring, as they have given up a whopping 26.8 points per game this season.

Along with that they are giving up over 380 yards per game, with over 280 of those yards coming through the air, one of the worst numbers in the league.

Teams can pass on the Houston defense, that is for sure. So this draft should either be for getting lock down corners or pass rushers who can hurry quarterbacks into bad decisions.

One of the best shutdown corners that could be had by the Texans is Patrick Peterson who is the stud of LSU's defense and might as well legally change his name to Glue Peterson.

There is also the possibility of a good pass rusher with the likes of Nick Fairley from Auburn, sack machine Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue or any of the other very talented pass rushers that are likely to fill this draft.

This draft could be very kind to the Texans, or they could just screw it up, who knows.

AFC South Uncertainty

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HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Cornerback Glover Quin #29 of the Houston Texans celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for wide receiver Justin Gage #12 of the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Leve

This has been a strange year for the AFC South.

The Colts and Peyton Manning are not in the dominant fashion that they are used to, the Titans are in the middle of an apparent quarterback divorce and the Jaguars just look uncertain every step of the way.

This is what has allowed the Texans to stay in the race for so long, but it is also what should give them hope for next season.

Anything can happen in the NFL, which we have all seen, and which is why Trent Dilfer has a Super Bowl Ring, and that is one thing that can benefit the Houston Texans.

This isn't baseball where the same five teams make the playoffs for a decade with a few random teams thrown in the final three spots which they call parity.

This is football where teams are on top of the world one moment, and crushed under the weight of the earth the next.

Just take a look at the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have either fallen completely off the top of the world or ridden lady luck up to the height of a successful season.

And anyway, when you say, "there's always next year" enough, you're bound to be right eventually.