Every year in the NFL there are a couple of teams that shock some people. I'm going to attempt to pick who those teams will be this season and why. But first let me loosely define what a sleeper team is. A team that no one (except the players, coaches, and five biggest fans of that team) thinks can go to the Super Bowl.

In the AFC I will pick the Houston Texans. The biggest problem for them is the division they play in. They automatically have six games against playoff teams because they're in the same division as the Colts, Jags, and Titans. Last year they struggled in those games going 1-5. But out of the division they were 7-3, making them an average 8-8 on the season.

Another main problem was keeping guys like Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub healthy. Schaub and Johnson only played together four times, but when they did the Texans were   3-1.Both should start the season 100% for the Texans.

Protecting the QB has always been an issue in Houston but they have made efforts this offseason to improve their line. They traded for Chris Meyer, a guard who started all 16 games in Denver last season and an upgrade from what Houston had at guard last season. They also spent their first pick in the draft on Duane Brown a tackle from Virginia Tech. He can play both right and left tackle and should see significant playing time early on.

MY PREDICTION- 10-6, 3rd in AFC South, 6th seed in AFC, lose in the first round of the playoffs

In the NFC I have a feeling that the Rams can shock a few people. Like the Texans they struggled staying healthy and protecting the quarterback last season. But unlike the Texans they should benefit from a relatively easy schedule (outside from a few games).

The offensive line was terrible for the Rams last season. Mainly because Orlando Pace played in only one game. He should be healthy and ready to go by Week 1.

Injuries really hurt the team, especially quarteback Marc Bulger. He played in 12 games and in those games was not himself mainly due to cracked ribs. Steven Jackson missed 4 games and wasn't quite as productive in the games he did play due to a poor offensive line. With those guys healthy and don't forget about Tory Holt, the offense should be more then fine.

On defensive they should be in the middle of the pack(more towards the bottom), but if their offense returns to form then they could win a few games by outscoring their opponets. And then have done a couple of things to improve on defense. Like draft Chris Long with the first selection in the draft. His impact won't be known until the season starts but if he puts up around 8-10 sacks that definatley won't hurt the defense.

MY PREDICTION- 9-7, 2nd in NFC West, 6th seed in NFC, lose in  the second round of the playoffs