With Andre Johnson expected to miss three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against the Steelers, will the balance of power shift atop the AFC South?
The three-game stretch the Texans will play without him would be tough even with him: against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, at the Baltimore Ravens Oct. 16 and at the Tennessee Titans Oct. 23.
Houston has weapons even without the top receiver in the game. But defenses are likely to devote more resources to stopping running back Arian Foster. Jacoby Jones needs to be the big-play threat. Kevin Walter is the other starter, while Bryant Johnson will be third.
The primary threat in the passing game should be tight end Owen Daniels. Fullback James Casey, a tight end at heart, and tight end Joel Dreessen are also threats in the passing game.
So quarterback Matt Schaub will have plenty of options. It’s just that none of them bring the combination of size, speed and strength of Johnson, who went down untouched against the Steelers, clutching the back of his leg.
If the Texans could have picked a three-game stretch to be without Johnson, this wouldn’t be it.
How many games do you think they’ll win without him?