Houston Texans Upcoming Season Game-by-Game Predictions
June 13, 2017
The Texans are returning this season with a defensive roster that looks remarkably similar to the Texans defense last year, which was ranked number one in the league. Due to some savvy moves in the front office, Romeo Crennel, Mike Vrabel, and the majority of the defensive players and personnel are returning to the Texans. Combine the current roster with the addition of J.J. Watt, who was out with multiple injuries last year, and ILB Zach Cunningham, 2017 2nd round draft pick out of Vanderbilt, and you’ve got a defense capable of not only returning to their number one ranking, but raising the bar even higher.
The offense, on the other hand, is a different story. QB Brock Osweiler was a bust last season, throwing more picks than touchdowns (15 TD – 16 Int). The Texans were spared after GM Rick Smith managed to create a deal with Cleveland, sending Osweiler and his entire contract to the Browns in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2018. The Texans offense, now led by Tom Savage, will have to play remarkably better than last season if they want to compete for the title. Deshaun Watson, who is currently situated as the third string QB in Houston, will be given a chance to start for the organization come Day 1. Hopefully, both Tom and Deshaun will be solid at the position, giving the Texans a good problem to deal with at the end of the season, a problem they’ve never had the luxury of dealing with. If both players are successful, watch for the Texans to make a trade next season with one of the many QB-needy teams around the league, and in return, fill a couple holes on their roster, most notably the offensive line.
Here are game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season.
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 13, Jacksonville: 10
The Texans sneak by Jacksonville at home before the Jags figure out what type of team they really have.
Week 2: Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals
Game Prediction: Houston: 20, Cincinnati 10
On the road, the Texan’s defense stalls Andy Dalton, who never gets his offense going.
Week 3: Houston Texans @ New England Patriots
Game Prediction: Houston: 16, New England: 26
The Texans play better than last regular season in Gillette Stadium, but Brady and his never-ending list of offensive weapons run the show.
Week 4: Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 17, Tennessee: 14
The Texans squeak by, beating Tennessee with a last second field goal to win the game.
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 20, Kansas City: 17
Houston’s defense gets the vital edge in this match-up.
Week 6: Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 27, Cleveland: 9
Cleveland’s offense is no match for Houston’s defense. The Texans make this one look easy.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Houston Texans @ Seattle Seahawks
Game Prediction: Houston: 16, Seattle: 24
Seattle’s defense hinders the Texan’s offense from really going to work, putting the Texans in a hole early.
Week 9: Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 24, Indianapolis: 17
Houston comes from behind to beat the Colts with a last minute touchdown drive.
Week 10: Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams
Game Prediction: Houston: 21, Los Angeles: 12
Los Angeles’s young team under first year Head Coach Sean McVay is no match for the experienced Texans organization. Houston takes a lead early on and keep the Rams at bay.
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 17, Arizona: 16
Carson plays well, but Houston sneaks by in the 4th quarter.
Week 12: Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
Game Prediction: Houston: 13, Baltimore: 17
Joe Flacco has his best game of the season and slips past the #1 ranked Texans Defense.
Week 13: Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Game Prediction: Houston: 20, Tennessee: 23
Tennessee beats the Texans at home after falling victim to the Texans earlier in the season at NRG.
Week 14: San Francisco 49’ers @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Houston: 23, San Francisco: 9
The 49’ers are in a building phase and get pummeled by the Texans.
Week 15: Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Game Prediction: Houston: 20, Jacksonville: 17
The Texans beat the Jags for the 2nd time this season, taking a commanding lead in the AFC South.
Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans
Game Prediction: Pittsburgh: 24, Houston 15
The Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown trio play like a team headed for the Super Bowl and roll past Houston.
Week 17: Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Game Prediction: Houston: 20, Indianapolis: 13
Houston’s offense and defense play complimentary football like a team bound for the playoffs, sweeping past the Colts to finish off the regular season.
Conclusion: Bill O’Brien and the Texans will be a force to be reckoned with, especially on Defense, but won’t surpass an 11-win season.
Written by Patrick Hughes
