Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cole Thompson

Texans 2024 schedule: Game-by-game with predictions

The NFL has released its 2024 schedule, and we’ve learned exactly when the Houston Texans will face their upcoming opponents. The Texans hit the road in Week 1 for a rematch of Week 18’s theatrics against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium before returning home to take on No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.

The NFL did little favors for Houston on the backend. Not only will the Texans play three games in 10 days, but they’ll also go head-to-head with three potential AFC postseason rosters. Four days after traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Houston welcomes 2023 MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens for a rematch of the AFC Divisional Round on Christmas Day.

Therein lies the beauty and curse of a first-place finish. The road back to the postseason not only is treacherous, but features countless twists and turns to prove the year before was far from a fluke. Houston, which spent over $175 million in guaranteed money this offseason, will be hunted and as much as it is the hunter en route back to the postseason.

Can the Texans reclaim the division title behind C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.? Let’s go through and predict every game on Houston’s schedule in 2024.

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts

HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 17: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes against M.J. Stewart #29 of the Houston Texans during the first quarter at NRG Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

It’s the return of Anthony Richardson and a pissed-off Colts roster that believed it deserved a playoff spot. How different would things be if Jonathan Taylor took the field on fourth-down for the completion? Would Indianapolis be viewed as the division favorites entering the summer? Would Cleveland still have Joe Flacco on its roster following a playoff win? 

Richardson, who rushed for two touchdowns in the first quarter of a Week 2 win against Houston last season, will still be working off the rust after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in October. Stroud, who claimed the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award, will be looking to build a relationship with newly acquired Stefon Diggs. 

There’ll be growing pains on both sides, and the Colts could compete for a playoff spot. For the moment, the Texans feel like a safer bet, so I’ll give them the nod on the road.

Prediction: WIN (1-0)

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears (SNF)

May 10, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during a press conference before Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Chicago upgraded immensely in the offseason with the selection of Williams after stealing the No. 1 pick from Carolina. Texans fans should actually thank GM Ryan Poles for trading back with the Panthers in 2023 because Stroud likely wouldn’t be donning the Steel Blue without his sauve decision-making. 

Even if the former Heisman winner lives up to the hype with a potent supporting cast, this is the season opener, people! It’s H-Town on Sunday Night Football, a first in ages. It’s a new era of Texans’ football with Joe Mixon, Danielle Hunter and Diggs making their debuts in front of their new fans. 

It’ll be closer than expected, but the Texans remain undefeated for another week. 

Prediction: WIN (2-0)

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

(Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)

There are multiple storylines in Week 3. Hunter, a native of Katy, returns to his second home for the first time after spending eight seasons there mastering his craft as one of the game’s top pass-rushers. There’s also an Ohio State vs. Michigan flair as Stroud will take on first-round pick J.J. McCarthy in what hopes to be a better outlook than the 2022 matchup in Columbus.

Then there’s friendly fire between former LSU teammates Justin Jefferson and Derek Stingley Jr., who likely will be locked up against each other all afternoon. That could determine the outcome late in the fourth quarter, but sights truly should be set on the pass rush. Hunter and Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. will have to be on point against Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill if they hope to add pressure on third down.

Again, this will be another nail-biter, but the Texans come out the other side undefeated.

Prediction: WIN (3-0)

Week 4: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Sep 24, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass during the first half against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans return home riding high off another win and feel in control while sitting in the driver’s seat to close out September. What could go wrong against Jacksonville? 

Nothing. Nothing at all. Well, at least in Week 4 in front of the home crowd. Last season, the two sides split the series with wins on the road. I think the same happens again, even without Calvin Ridley catching touchdowns from Trevor Lawerence, but this time, the two sides win on their respective turfs. 

Prediction: WIN (4-0)

Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA;Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels (78) shakes hands with Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) after the game in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the Diggs’ revenge game for the four-time Pro Bowler in front of the new fans. Diggs, who spent four seasons with Josh Allen as the go-to receiver, ruffled feathers on social media when he said, “You sure about that,” regarding who was the leader on offense. 

Now it’s time to prove it. The Texans will also be pulling out their H-Town jerseys for the first time, thus adding a bit more pressure for the look to live up to the hype. Allen, a favorite to win MVP, will be looking to set the tone. Houston, however, will be looking to show the AFC it has officially arrived and won’t be going back to the cellar.  

Bold take: Diggs catches the game-winning touchdown with under two minutes remaining and “X” quite literally explodes because of it. 

Prediction: WIN (5-0)

Week 6: at New England Patriots

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) pose for a picture after a game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans will drop a game they’re supposed to win. It happens every year like clockwork and that’s not changing just because Stroud is on a 20-plus hot streak to begin his NFL career. 

Week 6’s road trip to Foxborough won’t be that game, at least it shouldn’t be with a new coach in Jerod Mayo and a first-year quarterback in Drake Maye. Just like that, the Texans are sitting with six wins and it’s not even Halloween. 

Prediction: WIN (6-0) 

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Pop open the champagne, 1972 Miami Dolphins since your record is safe from the Texans in 2024. The battle at Lambeau Field will be a fight to the finish between two up-and-coming postseason contenders, headlined by young quarterbacks that could easily be MVP favorites for the next decade.

Green Bay and Houston are evenly matched after free agency and the draft, so I’ll make this analysis as easy as possible. If the game took place at NRG Stadium, the Texans would win. With the weather changing in late October, the Packers take the environment and run with it to victory. 

Prediction: LOSS (6-1) 

Week 8: vs. Indianapolis Colts

(Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports)

Not only will Richardson be healthy, but he’ll have seven games under his belt to build up his relationship with Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and potential Offensive Rookie of the Year sleeper Adonai Mitchell. The offensive line, barring multiple injuries, will remain one of the league’s best and Taylor should be on pace for another 1,000-yard season. 

Like it or not, the Colts and Texans are two evenly matched-rosters. Indianapolis rebounds on the road and gets revenge for Week 1’s mishaps at Lucas Oil. 

Prediction: LOSS (6-2) 

Week 9: at New York Jets (TNF)

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a short week and a road game, making this far from ideal for Houston to secure a win after a heartbreaking loss. Then again, last season the Jets trusted Zach Wilson to guide them to victory after Stroud left with a concussion. 

It’s Halloween on Amazon Prime, so expect things to get spooky. It’s a trick to fall for the trap that Houston won’t treat fans to a win on the holiday before all hell breaks loose in November and December. 

Prediction: WIN (7-2) 

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions (SNF)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks out the field after defeating the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Remember earlier when I said Houston would lose a game this season that it probably should win by a touchdown? The same goes for winning a matchup against a legit Super Bowl contender.

And much like with New England in Week 6, this isn’t one of those games. Jared Goff isn’t perfect, but he’s good enough for Detroit and just led the franchise to its first NFC Championship appearance since 1992. The Lions also upgraded their secondary in the draft with the additions of Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Detroit should be a favorite in the NFC this season and has all the pieces to beat anyone, including a tired Texans roster on Sunday Night Football.

Prediction: LOSS (7-3) 

Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys (MNF)

Dec 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) reacts during the game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

So maybe this isn’t the break Houston wants, but an extra day of rest before heading to Arlington for the Lone Star Showdown is better than nothing, right? The Texans will be motivated to claim the title of the top team in Texas, and Stroud will be looking for bragging rights against frienemy Micah Parsons. 

Dak Prescott is a good quarterback. He is and it’s ignorant to say otherwise simply because he hasn’t broken the near three-decade NFC Championship curse like every other Cowboys’ starter. Stroud, however, is the better option, and he’ll prove that in Jerry World on ESPN Monday night. 

Prediction: WIN (8-3) 

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans

Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled during the second half against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans are better than last season and should give Houston trouble. Will Levis doesn’t have an excuse not to be the reason why Tennessee’s offense can’t be revamped and ready to score in 2024. That being said, Derrick Henry is no longer running rampant in Nashville, so I think Houston will be in a good spot for another season sweep. 

Prediction: WIN (9-3) 

Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Nov 26, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) steps out of bounds after the catch and before the tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams (31) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

I said earlier that Houston and Jacksonville will split the series in 2024. The Texans won at NRG Stadium in front of their fans. Do you know what that means for Week 13?

Prediction: LOSS (9-4) 

Week 14: Bye Week

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio (left) and coach DeMeco Ryans (right) share a couple laughs at OTAs on May 23, 2023. (Photo by Brian Barefield, Texans Wire)

Thank the lord. This is needed for more than just the players.

Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 19: Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled out of bounds by M.J. Stewart #29 of the Houston Texans during the preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

The Texans return after the bye week to prove their value as a Super Bowl contender, but the path from here on out is crazy.

Miami has question marks on defense, but its offense features a speed force that even Barry Allen would find quick. Over the last three years, the Dolphins have collapsed late in the season. I don’t see that happening in 2024.

Prediction: LOSS (9-5) 

Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

Dec 11, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when I said Houston would win a game it probably should lose? Stroud shows the NFL he’s not on Patrick Mahomes’ level, but he might be the closest to his level entering the end of his second season.

Arrowhead is one of the loudest stadiums in the league. Do you know what else is loud? The Big House in Ann Arbor, where Stroud threw for nearly 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kansas City drops a game at the wrong time as the Texans secure another double-digit win season.

Prediction: WIN (10-5)

Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Christmas Day)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens and C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans meet on the field after the Ravens 25-9 win at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The holidays are meant for a joyous occasion. Too bad Christmas won’t be kind to the Texans against Baltimore. Last season, the Ravens had Houston’s number. It’ll be more of the same in 2024.

Prediction: LOSS (10-6)

Week 18: at Tennessee Titans

Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when I said Houston would drop a game it should win? Yeah, this is the one. Houston however already clinched a playoff spot, so now the only question is if someone else did better in the division race.

Prediction: LOSS (10-7)

2024 Recap

Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates his touchdown reception with center Juice Scruggs (70) and quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) against the Denver Broncos in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans are good enough to remain in the postseason conversation, even with a first-place schedule. That doesn’t mean things will come easy. With a late bye week, Houston’s going to face the injury bug once or twice.

If they can stay healthy, 11 or 12 wins are plausible. If things become rocky, it could be a long season ahead at NRG Stadium. Let’s meet in the middle and say Houston makes the playoff at 10-7.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.