If you're looking for a Super Bowl team that many aren't predicting to win it all, an underdog, look no further-the Houston Texans are it. Gary Kubiak has been extremely impressive and methodical in his building of this team with general manager Rick Smith. The pieces are there although the team is quite young.

Matt Schaub is a very good quarterback when he's healthy although he misses time with some degree of predictability even. The Texans have a good quarterback for 10 games or so, but what about the rest of the season? That's a key question. Rex Grossman and Dan Orlovsky are the current backups with Sage Rosenfels playing in Minnesota this year. Neither of them instills confidence. What will the Texans record be without Schaub and will he miss a playoff game? Let's all hope Schaub stays healthy and plays well into the post season.

At wide receiver the Texans have a man among boys type of dominating player in Andre Johnson. Tight End Owens Daniels has developed into a pro bowl player. Opposite Johnson is former Giants seventh round pick, Kevin Walter who had almost 900 yards last year and was a huge reason they spread the field so well. The Texans drafted Jacoby Jones to be a playmaking receiver and he hasn't been much more than a dynamic returner. He needs to step up for this offense to reach the "unstoppable" point. The Texans were the third best offense in the NFL. They're more than fine without Jones producing. Andre Davis has been outstanding filling in for the other Andre, but he hasn't really found his niche otherwise. Glenn Martinez is a get'r done type receiver that keeps finding work in the NFL because of that ability. As the third receiver, the fifth option in this scheme, he might not be half bad. A playmaker like Davis or Jones would put them over the top though. David Anderson is a typical fourth or fifth wide receiver.

Backup tight end James Casey is a fascinating prospect that has played a large number of positions, including quarterback. His versatility could open up the Texans offense to some trickery. While he has receiving ability Joel Dreesen plays a predominant blocking tight end role in Houston. Rookie Anthony Hill should push Dreesen for playing time.

Rookie Steve Slaton must have seemed like a "God-send" to Texans fans last year. He led rookies in rushing and also added 11 touchdowns. Slaton is a bit small so the Texans will try to add Ryan Moats or Chris Brown to the mix to try to take some of the hard hits and tough plunges away from Slaton. Brown was injured in 2008 and has, at times, looked extremely impressive. His health has always been an issue though. While Moats has faded into the background since his time in Philadelphia, he does have some talent and should make the team as the third runningback-also known as the Chris Brown insurance policy.

The Texans problem since day one has been their offensive line. They will return all five starters and that is so reassuring after all their struggles. Guard Chester Pitts has started for the Texans since day one. He's joined by Chris Myers who came over from Kubiak's previous team to start at Center. Eric Winston starts at right tackle and looks as if he'll be there for years to come. Guard Mike Brisiel is an undrafted free agent that has worked his way into the starting lineup. Left tackle Duane Brown was a promising rookie in 2008 and hopes to continue developing in 2009. Dan Stevenson, Chris White, Rashad Butler and Antoine Caldwell provide depth. The line is coached by the infamous Alex Gibbs and is a sure bet to keep improving as long as he's around. Fullback Vonta Leach is like a sixth linemen leading the way in this zone scheme.

Mario Williams is the star quality defensive end type that seems to be on many of the best team's rosters. Dunta Robinson is the star cornerback and Demeco Ryans is the impact making middle linebacker. They have all of the key components teams struggle to find in the draft. Williams is a gamebreaker that the Texans hope they can free up more from being the focus of the opposing offensive line. Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson are both former first round draft picks with a wealth of talent. Okoye has one good and one "eh" year. Johnson hasn't been too impressive. The talent is there and the Texans brought in new defensive line coach Bill Kollar to mold it. Frank Bush has become the new defensive coordinator and wants to apply more pressure in 2009, again the defensive line will be the key to that. Antonio Smith was brought in as a free agent to provide a pass rushing threat opposite Williams. The Texans have excellent fill-in depth along the defensive line but only DelJuan Robinson could fill in for an extended period of time. They do haveTim Bulman, rookie Connor Barwin and Jesse Nading who can provide fresh legs to attack the quarterback with. This is a potentially very good defensive line.

Aside from Ryans manning the middle, the Texans have depth. As with any good team making a rise to greatness, the Texans are please with the play of Zac Diles and Xavier Adibi but not satisfied. They need to make more big plays and could be replaced. Rookie Brian Cushing is expected to take one of their spots and he looks like he'll be quite a playmaker. Cato June, Chaun Thompson and Kevin Bentley have been brought in to provide depth. They have each started in the NFL. Buster Davis will backup Ryans. This is a good deep group that should benefit from all the camp competition. Cushing could elevate this into a top linebacking corps.

Jacque Reeves plays opposite Robinson and the nickelback is former starter Fred Bennett. That's what good teams have-three(or more) deep at the cornerback position. Former Patriot Eugene Wilson played well in his first year with the Texans. Nick Ferguson is a veteran presence at safety while both Dominique Barber and rookie Troy Nolan could surprise.

Kris Brown and Matt Turk have been successful in the NFL and are solid with their feet.

The Texans have one of the top coaching staffs in the league and Mike Shanahan's son is proving to be a chip off the old block at offensive coordinator. This team is poised to take the next step.