HOUSTON - KENTUCKY

Houston Texans

Team synopsis: Gary Nagata's Houston Texans stumbled to a 5-11 record in 2010 but those losing days look like they may be over.  The Texans possess perhaps the best WR in the NFL in Calvin Johnson a.k.a. "Megatron".  They have a breakaway Running Back in Jamaal Charles and a good young Quarterback  in Josh Freeman.  Owning two picks in the Rookie Draft the Texans came away with Devin McCourty and the aptly named Lamarr Houston.  Those two rookie additions will combine with stalwart veteran defensemen LB Kamerion Wimbley and Safety Ed Reed to immediately upgrade the Texans defense.  2011 looks very promising for a much improved Texan team.




As this is being written the Houston Texans are one game from a possible playoff birth.  In the final quarter of the season lost narrowly to New York (Frozen Tundra 4th Quarter Featured Game) then swept their final three games keeping playoff dreams alive.  Houston's season could have gone may different ways as nine of their sixteen contests were determined by a touchdown or less.  Quarterback Josh Freeman guided the team to 9 regular season wins as the underrated Texans passing game accounted for 500 more aerial yards than their defense allowed.  Of course the key weapon was the threat of Jamaal Charles breaking a long run at any time.  Charles eclipsed the 2000 yard standard while averaging 6.0 yards per carry and also pulling in 57 passes.   The Houston receiving chores were pretty evenly distributed among Brent Celek, Calvin Johnson and Terrell Owens.  The defensive effort for the Texans was highlighted by DB DeAngelo Hall and his 6 interceptions.  As a unit Houston picked off 16 passes on the season. Offensive leaders for the Texans:

PASSING ATT. COMP. T.D. INT. RTG.
Josh Freeman 555 276 17 12 70.1
RUSHING ATT. YDS. AVG. LONG T.D.
Jamaal Charles 348 2098 6.0 62 14
RECEIVING REC.YDS. AVG. LONG T.D.
Brent Celek 66 74211.2 54 5


Kentucky Horsemen

Team synopsis: The Kentucky Horsemen finished 9-7 in the Frozen Tundra for the 2010 season under Coach Sean Reilly.  Suddenly the Riley family is emulating the NFL's Ryan and Harbaugh clans for familial football coaching bragging rights. Linebacker Brian Urlacher is the captain of  a stout Horsemen defense fortified by veteran NT Jay Ratliff, DE Justin Smith and Cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman.  Kentucky has some horses on offense that Coach Reilly can ride for consistent yardage.    Running Back Adrian Peterson, has been to 4 Pro-Bowl's and is a constant threat to score from anywhere on the field.  When you need to grind it out in the trenches Sean can use his tank Peyton Hillis.  When Kentucky wants to air it out, strong armed Jay Cutler can do the honors.  Some real studs in Kentucky this year.


The Kentucky Horsemen could never get on a hot streak and finished the season with a 5-11 record. Adrian  Peterson still shone despite the Horsemen's losing record.  Adrian rushed for 2115 yards despite receiving a large focus from opposing defensive coordinators. The Horsemen could have performed better with a little more consistency from QB Jay Cutler. Cutler has begun to develop a nice chemistry with WR Arrelious Benn as they have connected for scores 6 times on the season.  Aside from that tandem, Cutler had his troubles.  Less than a 50% completion rate and a 50/50 split between TD's and Int's. don't equal a playoff slot.  Peyton Hillis began showing life in the second half, giving Kentucky a formidable running game.   The Horsemen could also have used a bigger impact from the defense.  Jay Ratliff gave the Horsemen solid defensive line play and contributed 5 individual sacks, but as a whole the team allowed nearly 1000 more yards than their offense provided.  Offensive leaders for the Horsemen:



PASSING ATT. COMP. T.D. INT. RTG.
Jay Cutler 352 149 14 14 59.7
RUSHING ATT. YDS. AVG. LONG T.D.
Adrian Peterson 430 2115 4.975 10
RECEIVING REC.YDS. AVG. LONG T.D.
Arrelious Benn 36 75621.0 64 6
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