Texans vs. Dolphins -- Week 1
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston (turf, roof will be closed)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Texans by 12
2011 records: Texans (10-6); Dolphins (6-10)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 18, 2011: Texans 23, Dolphins 13; Dec. 27, 2009: Texans 27, Dolphins 20. Series record: Texans lead 6-0.
What matters: The Texans begin this season with a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality. However, Houston has different starters from a year ago on the right side of the offensive line in right guard Antoine Caldwell and right tackle Derek Newton. The Texans also need some young receivers to emerge. Neither Lestar Jean, Keshawn Martin nor DeVier Posey has an NFL reception, but at least one must become a reliable target for QB Matt Schaub.
Who matters: Schaub is playing his first regular-season game since Nov. 13 when he suffered a season-ending foot injury against Tampa Bay. He looked good in the preseason and didn’t show any effects from his injury. DE J.J. Watt dislocated his elbow Aug. 2 and missed all four preseason games. Watt said this week the elbow injury would not hinder him.
Key matchups: The Texans will try to put pressure on rookie Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill. The Texans' pass rushers will have a tough time trying to get past Dolphins' LT Jake Long, who has made the Pro Bowl every year he has been in the NFL. Miami will start rookie RT Jonathan Martin opposite Long. Martin was the team’s second-round draft pick out of Stanford, but the Texans' defense could be a tough test in the rookie’s first game.
Injuries of note: RB Arian Foster (knee) and LB Brooks Reed (hip) had to leave practice early Thursday with injuries. Coach Gary Kubiak told reporters that he didn’t think either injury was serious. NT Shaun Cody has been dealing with a back injury, but he should play Sunday.
Inside stuff: Texans WR Trindon Holliday made the team based on his contributions as a returner. He returned two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns in the preseason. He has only appeared in one NFL game since being drafted in 2010, but he could make a big splash on special teams this weekend.
Connections: Dolphins' offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was on the Texans coaching staff in 2006-07. He was Houston’s offensive coordinator in 2007 before taking the head coaching job at Texas A&M.
Stat you should know: The Texans ranked No. 6 in the NFL last year with 44 sacks. Meanwhile, the Dolphins allowed the third-most sacks in the league (52) in 2011.
Record watch: Foster is 99 yards shy of becoming the franchise’s all-time rushing leader. Domanick Williams holds the record with 3,195 yards from 2003-05.
Bulletin board quote: Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips played his base defense in the preseason. That won’t be the case Sunday. “Yeah, we are going to put some chocolate and strawberries and everything on that vanilla,” he said. “You know I like that stuff. We’ll give them some different looks now. They’re seeing some of the things we did last year, but we’ve got some wrinkles for them.”
Looking ahead: Losing at home to the Dolphins would be tough for the Texans to swallow given their expectations. However, the schedule doesn’t get much tougher next week with a trip to Jacksonville. Outside of a Week 3 trip to Denver, the schedule sets up for Houston to get off to a fast start in the first five weeks.
Prediction: Texans 27, Dolphins 13
Follow Texans blogger Sean Bielawski on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLHOU.