HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans won the AFC South last season, finishing 9-7, before getting blown out at home, 30-0, in the wild-card game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With the additions of quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller and rookie receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller, the Texans believe they can hold off the Colts, and now the Jaguars, to win the division for the second year in a row.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans get off to the start they are hoping for, led by Osweiler and the revamped offense. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler never gets it going against J.J. Watt and the Texans' defense. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans win the rematch of last season’s AFC wild-card game, thanks to an improved offense. Record: 2-0
Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:25 p.m. ET
Even though the Texans won't face Tom Brady because of his four-game suspension, they will lose to the Patriots for the second straight season. Head coach Bill O’Brien will return to New England but he won’t be able to steal one from his former team. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Though the Titans are much better than they were last season when they lost both games to the Texans, this game will show they still have a ways to go to compete for the division. With this win, the Texans will have already bettered last season’s 2-5 start. Record: 3-1
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings’ defense gives the Texans their biggest test of the season and Osweiler and the offense never really get going. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will run all over the Texans’ defense. Record: 3-2
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Colts have won three straight games in Houston and that continues on "Sunday Night Football." The teams play a close game but ultimately Colts quarterback Andrew Luck outplays Osweiler. Record: 3-3
Week 7: Monday, Oct. 24 at Denver Broncos, 8:30 p.m. ET
No doubt Osweiler has had this game circled on the calendar since the schedule came out. He left the defending Super Bowl champions to sign a four-year, $72 million deal with the Texans in March, and on Monday Night Football, he shows why he picked Houston. Record: 4-3
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
Though this is the week before the bye week, the Texans won’t fall into the trap-game mentality. They end the first half of their season on a high note and beat the Lions handily. Record: 5-3
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans swept the Jaguars the past two seasons, but Blake Bortles will show the Texans why winning the division will be much harder this season. Record: 5-4
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 21 at Oakland Raiders (Mexico City), 8:30 p.m. ET
This will actually be a road game for both teams, since the game will be played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Watt will outplay Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack and the Texans will leave Mexico City with an easy win. Record: 6-4
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 vs. San Diego Chargers, 1 p.m. ET
The Chargers' offense, led by Philip Rivers, will be contained by the Texans' defense, while Houston continues to take advantage of its home field. Miller has a big game running the ball against the Chargers' defense. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET
Though it will be a homecoming game for Watt as he gets to play in his home state of Wisconsin, he will not outplay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay will easily beat the Texans in this one. Record: 7-5
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans won last season in Indianapolis after losing 13 straight games at Lucas Oil Stadium. Their winning ways will not continue and the Colts will beat the Texans for the second time this season. Record: 7-6
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans won’t let the Jaguars sweep them this season and will take this game at home. The Texans stop the two-game losing streak with a big divisional victory. Record: 8-6
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:25 p.m. ET
On Christmas Eve, the Texans will beat the Bengals for the second year in a row. In Week 10 last season, the Texans handed Cincinnati its first loss of the season. Record: 9-6
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans will end the season on a three-game winning streak to wrap up a playoff spot. Houston will finish the season with a record one game better than last season and hope to go further in the playoffs. Record: 10-6