One could make the argument that the Houston Texans are closer to becoming a playoff team than the Arizona Cardinals this year despite the fact that they have never made it to the postseason.  The Texans will take that first step toward proving themselves as the first road favorites of the preseason against a Cardinals team that was in the Super Bowl two years ago.  Preseason lines tend to move on game day so be sure to check out the pro football lines page offering up to date lines for all of the preseason and regular season NFL games.

Arizona has lost several key players from the 2008 NFC championship squad which made the playoffs again last year, most notably retired QB Kurt Warner.  The Cardinals have also lost WR Anquan Boldin (to the Baltimore Ravens via trade), LB Karlos Dansby (via free agency to the Miami Dolphins) and S Antrel Rolle (to the New York Giants via free agency).

Warner’s retirement has opened the door once again for former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, who started over Warner the season before only to suffer a broken collarbone after just five games.  Leinart has started one game since then due to a concussion to Warner and is eager to prove himself this preseason.

The Cardinals brought in Derek Anderson as a free agent in the offseason to challenge Leinart, making it all the more important that he plays well on Saturday in his limited time.  Leinart even took his offensive linemen and their wives and girlfriends on a trip to Hawaii in an effort to bond with them and show them how seriously he was taking his leadership role on the team.

Houston does not have to deal with any uncertainty at the QB position, but Matt Schaub does need to stay healthy like he did a year ago.  Schaub played all 16 games for the first time in three years as a Texan last season, and that translated to him leading the NFL in passing yards with 4,770 and finishing fifth in touchdown passes with 29.  He did throw 15 interceptions and get sacked 25 times, both of which were also career highs.  All that matters to him now though is finding a way to win more games and lead Houston to its first-ever playoff appearance.

That road to a potential postseason berth for the Texans starts here against the Cardinals, and Houston head coach Gary Kubiak hopes this year will finally be the year.  Ironically, Kubiak’s career mark in the postseason mirrors the team’s record just last season at 9-7, although he has fared much better in the first two weeks at 6-2.  He also has a happy camper in All-Pro WR Andre Johnson, who recently signed a two-year contract extension after becoming the first receiver since NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice to lead the league in receiving yards back-to-back seasons.

Meanwhile, Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt has not enjoyed much success over three years in the preseason with a dismal 2-10 record, including two 0-4 marks.  Whisenhunt has never won a preseason opener or finale, going 0-3 in both instances.  With Warner finally retired, league insiders believe Whisenhunt will go back to basics and run the ball more like he did when he was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, giving RB Beanie Wells increasingly more carries.

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