When attempting to predict the ultimate fate of the 2011 Texans, most focus on the question of whether the team can win with quarterback Matt Leinart in the postseason.
But first the Texans have to get to the postseason.
At 5-4, the Tennessee Titans can pull to withing a game of the 7-3 Texans, if the Titans can steal a victory in Atlanta on Sunday. With six games to play, either Houston or the team that used to be in Houston could seize the division crown.
And so it’s no surprise that Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck told Jim Rome on Friday that the AFC South can be won.
“The state of our division here in Tennessee is that it’s up for grabs,” Hasselbeck said on Rome’s syndicated radio show. “It really is up for grabs. Houston is clearly out in front, they’re clearly the leader, but this season there’s a lot more football to be played and we’re excited at least about the opportunity to still be in it.”
Favoring the Titans is the fact that Hasselbeck is the best healthy quarterback in the division.
“I’ve been really fortunate this year, I haven’t gotten hurt significantly, you kind of power through some things and I think that’s part of it,” Hasselbeck said. “What happens late in the year, the teams that are playing the best football are the teams that are able to take care of their bodies, be smart, and also get a little bit lucky.”
Though the Titans don’t have an easy path, with games upcoming against the Buccaneers, Bills, Saints, and in Week 17 the Texans, running back Chris Johnson seems to be gradually getting his groove back, and Hasselbeck has been the best transplanted passer of 2011.
So let’s not hand the Texans the crown just yet. The Titans may still have something up their sleeve.