By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Two teams with their sights set on the playoffs will make their first tentative steps toward that goal on Saturday night, when the Houston Texans host the Denver Broncos in the preseason opener for both teams.

The Texans come off the most successful season in their six-year history, a 8-8 showing which saw Gary Kubiak's club play its best football late in the campaign.

Houston went 3-1 in its final four games of 2007, including a 31-13 win over the Broncos which caused significant damage to Denver's own postseason hopes.

Entering his second year as the team's starting quarterback is Matt Schaub, who should see limited work on Saturday in keeping with first-week-of- preseason tradition. Schaub threw for 2,241 yards after being obtained from Atlanta prior to last year, but missed parts of eight games due to injury and underwent shoulder surgery following the season.

Sage Rosenfels, who threw 15 touchdown passes to Schaub's nine a year ago, returns as the backup and figures to see second-team reps for Houston against the Broncos.

Elsewhere in the Texans backfield, an injury to Chris Brown (back) and the recent release of Mike Bell should spell significant carries for rookie Steve Slaton (West Virginia) and second-year-pro Darius Walker, among others.

Meanwhile in Denver, the Broncos are seeking to move beyond back-to-back years without a postseason appearance.

Mike Shanahan's club was a disappointing 7-9 a year ago, just the second time in the coach's 13-year tenure that the team failed to finish at least .500. With only one playoff victory since quarterback John Elway's retirement in 1999, the Broncos begin 2008 under a great deal of scrutiny.

To that end, Shanahan told reporters last week that the team "will not miss the playoffs."

Seeking to help the team deliver on that promise will be quarterback Jay Cutler and wideout Brandon Marshall, who should both see some action on Saturday after developing into one of the league's most lethal combinations last season.

Marshall will miss at least two regular season games with a league-ordered suspension, but is available for the preseason.

At running back, Selvin Young will begin the preseason atop the depth chart, with Andre Hall and ex-Buccaneer Michael Pittman among those who should see carries on Saturday as well.

Denver holds a 4-0 edge in the all-time preseason series, including a 17-14 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2006 season.

As mentioned, Houston was a 31-13 home winner when the clubs played a meaningful tilt last Dec. 13th.