A fast start to the 2014 season is exactly what everyone in Houston needs.

It’s never a good thing to look ahead in football if you’re a player or coach, but as a fan it’s a requirement. If you really want to forget about the 14 straight losses from a year ago, just take a look at the next four games on the schedule leading up to Thursday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts.

What’s the worst possible start after five games?

The next four:

@ Oakland Raiders

@ New York Giants

vs. Buffalo Bills

@ Dallas Cowboys

It’s extremely difficult to win in the NFL, much less win five straight with three of those being on the road. However, the Texans have a more than realistic chance to win in all of those games.

Being 5-0 going into the Thursday night game at home vs. the Colts would be a dream come true, but is highly unlikely. What about 4-1? Even 3-2 puts them in a good spot when you check out the Colts next four games.

The Colts have:

vs. Philadelphia Eagles

@ Jacksonville Jaguars

vs. Tennessee Titans

vs. Baltimore Ravens

Sitting at 0-1, losing OLB Robert Mathis to a season-ending injury, and having a roster full of holes has to give Texans fans hope that the Thursday night matchup could be VERY meaningful.

Prediction:

Things won’t be easy for the Texans, especially after the injury to Jadeveon Clowney. Brooks Reed coming off his best game since his rookie season has seemed to ease the pain.

I say the Texans get off to a 4-1 start with the only loss coming in New York.

The Colts will land in Houston with a 2-3 record with home losses to the Eagles and Ravens.

A Texans win on October 9th would then give them a three-game cushion (with the tiebreaker) over Andrew Luck. I bet you never dreamed that was so realistic. It could happen!

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