NFL Power Rankings: Why Houston Texans Are Ranked Too High

Eric BallSep 26, 2011

I can’t believe I fell for it.

I sipped the Houston Texans Kool-Aid and they rewarded me with an absolute choke job against the New Orleans Saints.

I had the Texans all the way up at No. 8 in my Week 3 power rankings. Now I’m thinking more like 15.

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Sure, the gaudy offensive numbers are there despite the injury issues with Arian Foster. Averaging 30 points a game and 400 total yards is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Yet once again their defense came up small when they needed it most on Sunday, allowing 21 points in the fourth quarter, all on plays that were over 13 yards.

They are still plagued by the big play and it’s hard to see things changing anytime soon.

After watching them dominate the Colts (who now look like the worst team in the NFL) and the Dolphins (right there with the Colts) I assumed all of the defensive additions had paid off.

They acquired S Danieal Manning and CB Jonathan Joseph in free agency and drafted DE J.J. Watt in the first round. They moved Mario Williams to linebacker to increase the pressure and what do they have to show for it? Forty points allowed in one game.

There is no excuse for the lack of aggressiveness by the Texans in obvious passing situations, and I’m starting to believe that head coach Gary Kubiak is the problem. He’s gotten a long leash in Houston, and once again his team is falling short against top-notch competition.

Next up for the Texans is a home date with the Pittsburgh Steelers, another huge test.

If the Texans can’t get pressure on the most beat up O-line in the sport than there is absolutely no hope for Houston. They must force the issue with Ben Roethlisberger and create turnovers.

The offense has yet to see a defense anything like Pittsburgh’s, and will need a healthy Foster (he’s still day-to-day with the hamstring injury). Sunday will be a great barometer to see just how strong this offense really is.

I fully expect them to fall short, as the physicality of the Steelers is too much to handle. Once again this looks like a Texans team that looks get on paper…but not on the scoreboard.

Eric Ball's Week 3 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Detroit Lions

5. San Diego Chargers

6. Washington Redskins

7. New York Jets

8. Houston Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens

10. Buffalo Bills

11. Philadelphia Eagles