Houston Texans: The Toughest Games on the 2011 Schedule

The Texans were dealt a tough hand in their quest for the first playoff appearance in the history of the franchise.

The schedule is a tough one, beyond what it normally is.

In addition to the annual games against the stiff competition of the AFC South, the Texans will have to deal with several other perennial playoff teams and some up and coming squads.

If the Texans are going to have any real shot at making the playoffs, they will have to steal some of these games.

Week 3: At New Orleans Saints

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms-up before taking on the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/G

The biggest hindrance to the Texans' playoff hopes last season was their pass defense. Young cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Glover Quin struggled to cover anyone effectively.

With an overall improvement on the defensive side of the ball, the Texans are hoping to rectify the situation this season.

They will really be tested in Week Three against the Saints. I don't have to tell you that New Orleans has arguably the best passing offense in the league. There are few quarterbacks better than Drew Brees and receivers Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Robert Meacham will be more than enough for the Texans' corners.

To top it off, the Saints have a solid stable of running backs to keep the defense honest.

The Saints defense isn't great, but they create their share of turnovers. The Texans won't be able to turn the ball over and expect to win.

Week 4: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty I

There will be no tougher test than the game in Week Four against the Steelers, a team that was in the Super Bowl last season.

The passing offense, led by Ben Roethlisberger, will test the Texans' secondary yet again. Mike Wallace and Hines Ward are both good receiving options.

Rashard Mendenhall balances their offense well with his big play ability out of the backfield.

The biggest challenge for the Texans, though, will be the physicality and playing style of the Steelers. They pack a punch on both sides of the ball and try to wear you down.

Real or imagined, the Texans are known as a soft team that can't win knock down, dragged out battles against more physical teams.

We'll learn a lot about this Texans team after this one against Pittsburgh.

Week 6: Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry French/Get

If the Texans didn't get enough of a physical game against the Steelers, they'll have another just two weeks later against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens boast the same style as Pittsburgh, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis and nose tackle Haloti Ngata set the tone for that entire team.

While inconsistent, the Ravens offense has the chance to be high-powered. Quarterback Joe Flacco is getting better all the time. Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap give Flacco a few nice receiving options. Running back Ray Rice is one of the better dual-threat running backs in the league. He caught 63 passes last season, one shy of the team lead.

While not as much of a challenge for their defense, the Ravens still pose a huge obstacle for the Texans and their playoff hopes.

Week 10: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/G

Before last season, the Bucs wouldn't have appeared on many of these types of lists. They were a team with no real offensive threat and no playoff hopes.

Now, they are a team on the rise and have real playoff aspirations. Josh Freeman, previously thought of as a talented but inconsistent quarterback, took a huge step in the right direction last season. By the end of next season, he may be mentioned among the best quarterbacks in the entire league.

They also got an unexpected contribution from LaGarrette Blount at running back. A former undrafted free agent, Blount came out of nowhere to rush for over 1,000 yards last season.

The Buccaneers will surprise no one this season. Everyone knows just how good they can be. They find themselves in a similar spot as the Texans. They are a team sitting at or around the .500 mark, trying to get over the hump and into the playoffs.

Week 13: Vs. Atlanta Falcons

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch for a first down in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

The Falcons are coming off a 13-3 season and will be looking to firmly establish themselves as one of the NFL's elite teams.

The Texans' passing defense will again be tested, this time by Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Running back Michael Turner is a workhorse out of the backfield and will keep the defense from being able to key in on the passing game.

The Falcons also boast one of the few defenses that can truly hang with the Texans offense. They ranked fifth in scoring defense last season. Cornerback Brent Grimes and safety William Moore both had five interceptions. Defensive end John Abraham had 13 sacks.

It goes without saying that the Texans will have to play a complete game on both sides of the ball to win this one.

Week 16: At Indianapolis Colts

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Texans' struggles in beating the Colts are well-documented. In their entire existence, they have beaten Indianapolis twice.

If the Texans' season goes like they hope it will, this matchup may be the most important of all.

The Colts will be the same ol' Colts. Peyton Manning will throw the ball all over the field. Running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown will make just enough plays to keep the defense honest.

The defense probably won't be great, but defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will wreak havoc in the backfield as they always do.

By "only" winning ten games last season, many feel the Colts had a down season and are showing signs of slipping as a franchise. I think the rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated. The Colts are still the Colts and this game will be as tough as it gets.