An open letter to the Houston Texans

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Dear Houston Texans,

I think you can win it all.

As a matter-of-fact, I know that you will.

But first things first, we need to talk.

Safety Glover Quinn told ESPN “Next year will be different” after your 20-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in last year’s divisional playoffs.

You fell just short of a trip to play the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

But what seemed like a disappointing loss, ending a season which had such promise and potential, may have been the best thing to happen to you.

You had an entire off-season to ponder all of the opportunities that might have been.

You had time to realize that championship opportunities are hard to come by and missing out on them fills a team with regret until the opportunity presents itself in the mirror again.

Well, Andre, Arian and Matt.  Get a good look at yourself.

On Saturday, you’re chance at redemption begins.

Despite being a team that lost your leading tackler Brian Cushing to a torn ACL during a Week 5, you’re a team that still managed to start the season with an 11-1 record, but faded to a 1-3 finish.

You’re a team that has gone from AFC favorite to repeat wild-card host.

You’ve sat back and watched your chances of securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs disappear faster than David Blaine in his greatest magical illusion.

You’re a team that already has many people anticipating a Peyton Manning-Tom Brady reunion in a Denver Broncos-Patriots championship showdown for a spot in Super Bowl XLVII.

But based on recent Super Bowl champions, you’re a team that his history on your side.

You’re a team that could become the sixth Super Bowl champion of the last eight years to have played in the first round of the playoffs, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, Indianapolis Colts in 2006, and the New York Giants in 2007, the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and the Giants again last season.

“It’s no secret,” Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson told the Times-Picayune. “It’s either you win or go home, period. That’s the way I feel about it. That’s pretty much it. That’s the time of year it is.

“You have to go out and win every game that you play. No time to make no excuses, no time for ‘my bads.’ You’ve got to go out and win the game. That’s it.”

And you’re road trip to the Bayou begins with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, followed by a trip to Foxborough to face the Patriots – the team that was waiting for you last season, but you stood them up.

You eventually met up with them and what happened?

You have not been the same since they stomped you out 42-14 in New England on Dec. 10.

Monday Night Football is the biggest stage that the NFL has to offer besides the Super Bowl.

You have the opportunity for payback at your disposal

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