The Houston Texans ended the Indianapolis Colts' two-year streak on top of the AFC South when they won the division with a 9-7 record last season. But the Texans' season ended on a bad night because they were shut out at home 30-0 by the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild-card game. The Texans believe they've solved their quarterback problems with the addition of Brock Osweiler to go with a defense that continues to be led by do-everything player J.J. Watt.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Osweiler doesn’t disappoint in his debut at quarterback for the Texans and Watt spends all afternoon hounding Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
This is a rematch of last season’s AFC wild-card playoff game in which the Chiefs embarrassed the Texans 30-0 at home. Brian Hoyer won’t be at quarterback for Houston throwing four interceptions this time around. Record: 2-0
Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 22, at New England Patriots, 8:25 p.m. ET
Coach Bill Belichick outsmarted Texans coach Bill O’Brien, a former New England assistant coach, in last season’s meeting, a 27-6 Patriots victory. Don’t be surprised if the same thing happens again this season, especially with the game being played in New England. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
The Titans, who traded away the No. 1 overall pick in this month’s draft to stockpile picks, still have a lot of work ahead of them to put better talent around quarterback Marcus Mariota. Watt lets Mariota know that the Titans are nowhere near the same class as the Texans in the division. Record: 3-1
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater reminds the Texans what they missed out on when they decided not to select him in the 2014 draft. Record: 3-2
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Colts head into this game having won three straight meetings against the Texans in Houston, including one with then-39-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck starting. The streak stops on this night on prime-time television. Record: 3-3
Week 7: Monday, Oct. 24, at Denver Broncos, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Broncos have revenge on their mind for Osweiler, who left Denver to sign a four-year, $72 million contract with the Texans. Osweiler returns to Denver to beat the defending Super Bowl champions. Record: 4-3
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
This is just the fourth meeting between the Texans and Lions. Houston improves its record to 3-1 against the Lions, who lost receiver Calvin Johnson to retirement during the offseason. Record: 5-3
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans have won four straight and nine of the past 11 meetings against the Jaguars, who continue to try to add players around quarterback Blake Bortles each offseason. Record: 6-3
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 21, at Oakland Raiders (Mexico City), 8:30 p.m. ET
Watt will be the best defensive player on the field during this game, which will be played in Mexico City. But the Raiders also have two players who can put pressure on the quarterback in Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack. Record: 7-3
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, vs. San Diego Chargers, 1 p.m. ET
Osweiler had no problem beating the Chargers last season when he faced them while with Denver. He won’t have a problem beating them as the starter in Houston, either. Record: 8-3
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET
Watt returns to Wisconsin for the first time in his career, but it won’t be a happy homecoming for the defensive star. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will get the best of Watt and the Texans on this day. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans finally got a victory in Indianapolis last season after losing in their previous 13 trips there. They won’t win two straight in Indianapolis. Record: 8-5
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
Watt has dominated the Jaguars in his career. He’ll enter next season with 14.5 sacks in just 10 games against Jacksonville. The Texans rebound from their loss against the Colts the previous week. Record: 8-6
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:25 p.m. ET
It may not be a pleasant Christmas for the Texans because the Bengals get revenge on them after Houston gave Cincinnati its first loss of the season in Week 10 last season. Record: 8-7
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans open 2017 on a positive note because they close out the season with a victory to finish with the same record as last season. Record: 9-7