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          NFL Nation

          Texans schedule includes five prime-time games

          The Texans are hoping Brock Osweiler gives them the quarterback they need to succeed with their revamped offense. AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
          • Paul Kuharsky, ESPN Staff WriterApr 15, 2016, 12:59 AM
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            • Covered AFC South for five years for ESPN.com
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          Breakdown: The Houston Texans and their new quarterback, Brock Osweiler, will have a lot of eyeballs on them in 2016. They play five times in prime time. Houston has a Week 3 Thursday night game at the New England Patriots, a Week 6 Sunday night game against the Indianapolis Colts, a Week 7 game at the Denver Broncos (pitting Osweiler against the team that drafted him), a Week 10 Monday night game at the Oakland Raiders and a Week 16 Christmas Eve home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

          Complaint department: Four out of five games are on the road following a Week 9 bye. The Texans are at Jacksonville on Nov. 13, at Oakland Nov. 21, home against the Chargers on Nov. 27, at Green Bay on Dec. 4 and at Indianapolis on Dec. 11. That's a lot of road work in a five-week span.

          Spaced out: Divisonal rematches can be more interesting when they are spread out. If one team plays a division rival two times in a short span, the sequel isn't as compelling as teams change over the course of the season. The Texans shortest span between games against an AFC South foe is five weeks with Jacksonville. The Colts and Titans games are spaced out even better than that.

          Strength of schedule: T-19th, .484

          Texans Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, Chicago, 1 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, Kansas City, 1 p.m.

          • Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 22, at New England, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, Tennessee, 1 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 7: Monday, Oct. 24, at Denver, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, Detroit, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: BYE

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

          • Week 11: Monday, Nov. 21, at Oakland, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, San Diego, 1 p.m.

          • Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, Cincinnati, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.