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So, how many games will the Houston Texans win in 2026?
The NFL schedule makers made sure to have the 12-win franchise battle-tested ahead of the 2026 postseason, even though oddmakers believe that Houston has the seventh-easiest schedule in the league this fall. On top of a road trip to London, the Texans close out the year with a pair of primetime games against two postseason teams from the NFC in Philadelphia and Green Bay.
Cincinnati and Baltimore are expected to be better, while Cleveland might have the easiest schedule on the planet. On top of that, Houston still must face off against four more playoff teams.
So, what's the record in 2026 for Houston by the time we get to the end of the year? Let's have a way-too-early prediction for the Texans after Thursday's schedule release.
Buffalo might have the better quarterback, but Josh Allen's kryptonite is playing Houston at Reliant Stadium. Even though the Bills should be a contender for the AFC title under first-year coach Joe Brady, until they prove that they can beat the Texans, it's best to pick the winner.
Verdict: Texans win (1-0)
A potential playoff preview? Cincinnati might be one of the league's most improved teams on defense after the signings of Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook. Plus, All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will go up against former LSU teammate and two-time All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase. Even though Joe Burrow might be able to outduel C.J. Stroud, it's a home game. Give the win to Houston.
Verdict: Texans win (2-0)
Even if Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is back in time for this game, this is still a franchise with little direction. Houston remains undefeated with another victory, only this time, it's away from Reliant.
Verdict: Texans win (3-0)
While the Cowboys have one of the league’s better offenses, led by Dak Prescott, what's the deal with their defense? Even with the pieces Dallas added via the draft this offseason, it feels risky putting all that faith into the development of Caleb Down and Malachai Lawrence. Even if the Texans' offense isn't up to par, their defense should handle business against Jerry Jones' boys, proving once and for all who runs the state in terms of being a consistent football team.
Verdict: Texans win (4-0)
The hiring of new Titans coach Robert Saleh might be a reason to believe the franchise has a promising future. The problem? Tennessee's offense is still underwhelming and the defense will probably take a year to turn into a similar build to what Houston has under DeMeco Ryans. After winning both games last season, plus four of the last five, Houston secures another win, keeping the undefeated season alive and well.
Verdict: Texans win (5-0)
Jacksonville is interesting, especially since it let two of its best players walk in free agency and did little to replace them. It's hard to think that now, with a first-place schedule and an underwhelming offseason, the Jaguars will be a 13-win team back-to-back years. Still, this could be a difficult spot for Houston since Jacksonville will also benefit from already being overseas for over a week. I'll take the Texans, but as time passes, this could be one worth flipping.
Verdict: Texans win (6-0)
This feels like a trap game, mainly because people are sleeping on John Harbaugh as the new head coach in the Big Apple. Even after trading away Dexter Lawrence, New York’s defense should be among the best in 2026, especially with the combination of rookie Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter coming off the edge. Call me crazy, but the jet-lagged week, plus the sight of the bye week around the corner, has Houston slipping ahead of a 10-day rest period.
Verdict: Texans lose (6-1)
Everyone wins since you can't lose the week off.
Houston is 1-2 coming off a bye week under Ryans. Does it become 2-2 by the season's end? Los Angeles consistently has built one of the league’s top defenses under Jim Harbaugh, but Justin Herbert has been able to handle playing Houston in recent years. This again feels like a coin flip game, but the home team should be confident for a reason.
Verdict: Texans lose (6-2)
Myles Garrett is always capable of changing a game and strip-sacking C.J. Stroud for an easy scoop-and-score. Is there anything else to be intimidated by? Not really. Even after an eventful offseason, Cleveland's offense lacks consistent weapons and, better yet, a starting quarterback. Pray this is Deshaun Watson vs. Stroud for a reminder of what could have been in H-Town.
Verdict: Texans win (7-2)
Even on a short week, Indianapolis has struggled against Houston, going 5-1 all-time while also going just 2-1 in Houston. This might be the final game of the Shane Steichen era in Indy.
Verdict: Texans win (8-2)
Everything said about Buffalo against Houston is reversed for Houston against Lamar Jackson. Last year, the Texans won the battle on the road, but that was because Jackson missed the game with a hamstring injury. He's the only quarterback who continues to thump Ryans' defense and he'll do it again with the help of Derek Henry's bruising rushing performance.
Verdict: Texans lose (8-3)
The Steelers still do not have a quarterback at the moment. To go a step further, Pittsburgh moved off Mike Tomlin to bring in the offensive version of Mike Tomlin. Mike McCarthy usually doesn't win these types of games.
Verdict: Texans win (9-3)
Washington missed the playoffs largely because of Jayden Daniels' injuries in Year 2. I still think they're missing a few pieces, so even with a road game, Houston finds the edge to leave Landover with another win, this one almost ensuring a playoff berth.
Verdict: Texans win (10-3)
This could be the game that locks up the division. Even if Trevor Lawrence comes out swinging, Houston has the better defense and a consistent special teams game. This should be enough to lock up another AFC South division title under Ryans.
Verdict: Texans win (11-3)
This could be Houston’s toughest game of the season and it has to come before the Holidays. Jalen Hurts likely won't have A.J. Brown anymore, but DeVonta Smith can carry the load in Philly. Playing on the road in that environment will present a major challenge for Houston, but it also could be why the Texans earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Verdict: Texans win (12-3)
Coming off the high of a win, not everything can be nice. Jordan Love might be a tad overrated, but Green Bay should have Micah Parsons back coming off the edge and stable secondary play. It'll be enough in the cold-weather conditions for the Packers to snag a home win.
Verdict: Texans lose (12-4)
Even if the backups play most of the game, Houston is good enough to secure back-to-back wins over Tennessee. At 13-4, expect at least a top two seed in the AFC postseason.
Verdict: Texans win (13-4)
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Way-Too-Early Texans season predictions: Can Houston secure more than 12 wins?
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The NFL schedule makers made sure to have the 12-win franchise battle-tested ahead of the 2026 postseason, even though oddmakers believe that Houston has the seventh-easiest schedule in the league this fall. On top of a road trip to London, the Texans close out the year with a pair of primetime games against two postseason teams from the NFC in Philadelphia and Green Bay.
Cincinnati and Baltimore are expected to be better, while Cleveland might have the easiest schedule on the planet. On top of that, Houston still must face off against four more playoff teams.
So, what's the record in 2026 for Houston by the time we get to the end of the year? Let's have a way-too-early prediction for the Texans after Thursday's schedule release.
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Week 1: vs. Buffalo Bills, Sept. 13, Noon, CBS
Buffalo might have the better quarterback, but Josh Allen's kryptonite is playing Houston at Reliant Stadium. Even though the Bills should be a contender for the AFC title under first-year coach Joe Brady, until they prove that they can beat the Texans, it's best to pick the winner.
Verdict: Texans win (1-0)
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Week 2: vs. Bengals, Sept. 20, Noon, CBS
A potential playoff preview? Cincinnati might be one of the league's most improved teams on defense after the signings of Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook. Plus, All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. will go up against former LSU teammate and two-time All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase. Even though Joe Burrow might be able to outduel C.J. Stroud, it's a home game. Give the win to Houston.
Verdict: Texans win (2-0)
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Week 3: at Colts, Sept. 27, Noon, CBS
Even if Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is back in time for this game, this is still a franchise with little direction. Houston remains undefeated with another victory, only this time, it's away from Reliant.
Verdict: Texans win (3-0)
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Week 4: vs. Cowboys, Oct. 4, Noon, FOX
While the Cowboys have one of the league’s better offenses, led by Dak Prescott, what's the deal with their defense? Even with the pieces Dallas added via the draft this offseason, it feels risky putting all that faith into the development of Caleb Down and Malachai Lawrence. Even if the Texans' offense isn't up to par, their defense should handle business against Jerry Jones' boys, proving once and for all who runs the state in terms of being a consistent football team.
Verdict: Texans win (4-0)
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Week 5: at Titans, Oct. 11, Noon, CBS
The hiring of new Titans coach Robert Saleh might be a reason to believe the franchise has a promising future. The problem? Tennessee's offense is still underwhelming and the defense will probably take a year to turn into a similar build to what Houston has under DeMeco Ryans. After winning both games last season, plus four of the last five, Houston secures another win, keeping the undefeated season alive and well.
Verdict: Texans win (5-0)
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Week 6: at Jaguars (London), Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m., NFL Network
Jacksonville is interesting, especially since it let two of its best players walk in free agency and did little to replace them. It's hard to think that now, with a first-place schedule and an underwhelming offseason, the Jaguars will be a 13-win team back-to-back years. Still, this could be a difficult spot for Houston since Jacksonville will also benefit from already being overseas for over a week. I'll take the Texans, but as time passes, this could be one worth flipping.
Verdict: Texans win (6-0)
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Week 7: vs. Giants, Oct. 25, Noon, FOX
This feels like a trap game, mainly because people are sleeping on John Harbaugh as the new head coach in the Big Apple. Even after trading away Dexter Lawrence, New York’s defense should be among the best in 2026, especially with the combination of rookie Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter coming off the edge. Call me crazy, but the jet-lagged week, plus the sight of the bye week around the corner, has Houston slipping ahead of a 10-day rest period.
Verdict: Texans lose (6-1)
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Week 8: Bye, Nov. 1
Everyone wins since you can't lose the week off.
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Week 9: at Chargers, Nov. 8, 3:05 p.m., CBS
Houston is 1-2 coming off a bye week under Ryans. Does it become 2-2 by the season's end? Los Angeles consistently has built one of the league’s top defenses under Jim Harbaugh, but Justin Herbert has been able to handle playing Houston in recent years. This again feels like a coin flip game, but the home team should be confident for a reason.
Verdict: Texans lose (6-2)
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Week 10: at Browns, Nov. 15, Noon, FOX
Myles Garrett is always capable of changing a game and strip-sacking C.J. Stroud for an easy scoop-and-score. Is there anything else to be intimidated by? Not really. Even after an eventful offseason, Cleveland's offense lacks consistent weapons and, better yet, a starting quarterback. Pray this is Deshaun Watson vs. Stroud for a reminder of what could have been in H-Town.
Verdict: Texans win (7-2)
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Week 11: vs. Colts, Nov. 19, 7:15 p.m, Amazon Prime
Even on a short week, Indianapolis has struggled against Houston, going 5-1 all-time while also going just 2-1 in Houston. This might be the final game of the Shane Steichen era in Indy.
Verdict: Texans win (8-2)
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Week 12: vs. Ravens, Nov. 29, Noon, CBS
Everything said about Buffalo against Houston is reversed for Houston against Lamar Jackson. Last year, the Texans won the battle on the road, but that was because Jackson missed the game with a hamstring injury. He's the only quarterback who continues to thump Ryans' defense and he'll do it again with the help of Derek Henry's bruising rushing performance.
Verdict: Texans lose (8-3)
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Week 13: at Steelers, Dec. 6, 7:25 p.m., NBC
The Steelers still do not have a quarterback at the moment. To go a step further, Pittsburgh moved off Mike Tomlin to bring in the offensive version of Mike Tomlin. Mike McCarthy usually doesn't win these types of games.
Verdict: Texans win (9-3)
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Week 14: at Commanders, Dec. 13, Noon, CBS
Washington missed the playoffs largely because of Jayden Daniels' injuries in Year 2. I still think they're missing a few pieces, so even with a road game, Houston finds the edge to leave Landover with another win, this one almost ensuring a playoff berth.
Verdict: Texans win (10-3)
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Week 15: vs. Jaguars, Dec. 20, Noon, CBS
This could be the game that locks up the division. Even if Trevor Lawrence comes out swinging, Houston has the better defense and a consistent special teams game. This should be enough to lock up another AFC South division title under Ryans.
Verdict: Texans win (11-3)
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Week 16: at Eagles, Dec. 24, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
This could be Houston’s toughest game of the season and it has to come before the Holidays. Jalen Hurts likely won't have A.J. Brown anymore, but DeVonta Smith can carry the load in Philly. Playing on the road in that environment will present a major challenge for Houston, but it also could be why the Texans earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Verdict: Texans win (12-3)
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Week 17: at Packers, Jan. 4 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Coming off the high of a win, not everything can be nice. Jordan Love might be a tad overrated, but Green Bay should have Micah Parsons back coming off the edge and stable secondary play. It'll be enough in the cold-weather conditions for the Packers to snag a home win.
Verdict: Texans lose (12-4)
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Week 18: vs. Titans, TBD
Even if the backups play most of the game, Houston is good enough to secure back-to-back wins over Tennessee. At 13-4, expect at least a top two seed in the AFC postseason.
Verdict: Texans win (13-4)
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Way-Too-Early Texans season predictions: Can Houston secure more than 12 wins?
Continue reading...
