| 2011 Houston Texans season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bob McNair |
| General manager | Rick Smith |
| Head coach | Gary Kubiak |
| Offensive coordinator | Rick Dennison |
| Defensive coordinator | Wade Phillips |
| Home field | Reliant Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 1st AFC South |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Bengals) 31–10 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Ravens) 13–20 |
| Pro Bowlers | 4
|
| Uniform | |
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The 2011 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 10th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 6th under head coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans improved on their record from the 2010 season, despite losing starting quarterback Matt Schaub & backup Matt Leinart to season ending injuries. Third stringer T.J. Yates filled in, and earned the franchise's first playoff berth by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 20–19 in Week 14 and clinching the AFC South. It also assured the Texans of at least one playoff game at home—the first NFL playoff game in Houston since 1993. After reaching the Divisional match against the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans suffered their maiden loss in the NFL Playoffs, losing 20–13.
Prior to the season, former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was hired as defensive coordinator, replacing Frank Bush, who was fired.[1] The Texans defense made major improvements in Phillips' first year calling Houston's defensive plays. The team allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league in 2011 (compared to fourth most in 2010), the second-fewest yards allowed (third-most in 2010) and third-fewest yards per play (4.8, compared to 6.0, second-worst in 2010). Not only do the 2011 Texans hold the record for least points conceded in the average game of a season for the team with 17.4 points, which happened nine times, but they also got a +103 point differential, which is the best in franchise history. Of the Texans' 10 wins, 9 of them were decided by at least 6 points.
- ^ "Texans hire Phillips as defensive coordinator". Chron. January 2011.