Texans game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

There’s a clear-cut future path for the Houston Texans at the quarterback position, and the team has high hopes for its draft picks. But how will the season play out? Here are the Texans’ game-by-game predictions after the 2036 NFL schedule release.

Coming off a 12-5 regular season and another playoff victory, the Texans enter the season with Super Bowl aspirations. The defense certainly seems good enough to get them there. But the offense will have to follow suit.

For these predictions, we will look at things as they stand now. We won’t try to predict season-changing injuries.

Week 1 vs. Buffalo Bills

It has been said many times in recent years, but the Bills have that Super Bowl look again. They added defense in the draft, and look like a good bet to be tougher on that side of the ball.

The Texans held Josh Allen down in last year’s matchup, earning a 23-19 home win. But this time they will fall short. LOSS

Record: 0-1

Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

It’s not fun to face Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and company. Unless … you have a defense like the Texans.

Still, the Bengals will come in ready to put up points. And the Texans won’t be able to dominate that offense. It will be a close game. WIN

Record: 1-1

Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts were a Super Bowl threat last year. Or so it seemed until Daniel Jones went down and other injuries hit. Whether that great start was a mirage will be revealed this year.

And the best place for it to be judged is in the two matchups against the Texans. The Texans have won five straight in this rivalry, according to The Football Database. And Act I goes their way in 2026. WIN

Record: 2-1

Week 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones won’t like this. He will be hopping mad. His Cowboys’ empire takes a hit if there’s another team in Texas that can beat his bunch.

But the Texans are one of the few teams in the NFL that can handle — or at least slow — the Cowboys offense. Things will have to fall into place for the Texans’ offense. But they will grab the upset. WIN

Record: 3-1

Week 5 at Tennessee Titans

This series has gone the way of the Texans, who own a three-game winning streak. Included in that mix was last year’s 26-0 humiliation. There doesn’t seem to be much to suggest this won’t go the same way.

The Titans are still a work in progress on the offensive side of the ball. And the Texans could have the best defense in the NFL. WIN

Record: 4-1

Week 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Another team that people question is Jacksonville. Will the Jaguars be as good in 2026?

Well, they’ll have to fight history against the Texans. Even though they split two games last year, the Texans have won 24 of the last 31 meetings, including 13 of the last 16. That’s incredible dominance in the NFL. WIN

Record: 5-1

Week 7 vs. New York Giants

This is a good matchup for the Texans. Yes, the Giants now have John Harbaugh as their head coach. But quarterback Jaxson Dart is still learning the ropes.

Looks for the Giants to hit a big play down the field to Malik Nabers. But they will face in the second half. WIN

Record: 6-1

Week 9 at Los Angeles Chargers

Facing a healthy team with Jim Harbaugh running the show, this is a tough challenge for the Texans. If the Chargers protect Justin Herbert better in 2026, they will have a chance to make major postseason noise.

But the Texans embarrassed Herbert in the 2024 playoffs. And they sacked him five times in last year’s meeting. It won’t be as brutal this time, but the Texans still get the victory. WIN

Record: 7-1

Week 10 at Cleveland Browns

Many times in the NFL, there’s too much of a talent discrepancy for the lesser team to have a shot. This looks like one of those spots.

The Texans will focus enough attention on edge rusher Myles Garrett to keep him from being disruptive. And the Texans’ defense will punish the Browns’ offense. WIN

Record: 8-1

Week 11 vs. Indianapolis Colts

With this game shifting to Lucas Oil Stadium, the advantage pulls a bit in the Colts’ direction. This will be a game where quarterback CJ Stroud needs to step up with a turnover-free big game.

However, look for a breakaway run by Jonathan Taylor to decide the issue. LOSS

Record: 8-2

Week 12 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Ah, the dreaded matchup against Lamar Jackson. Also, the Ravens seemed to have improved quite a bit in the offseason. Plus, they are 13-3 all-time against the Texans — even though Houston ended a six-game losing streak with a thumping 44-10 win last year. But that was the Ravens without Jackson.

Even playing at home, the Texans will have their hands full. It will come down to the wire, but the Ravens get the road win. LOSS

Record: 8-3

Week 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers

With Mason Rudolph currently atop the Steelers’ depth chart at quarterback, there’s no reason for the Texans to fear this matchup.

It could be a fairly close game if the Steelers put together a strong defensive effort. WIN

Record: 9-3

Week 14 at Washington Commanders

This is a rare meeting, only the second in the last eight years, a 2022 game won by the Commanders. It’s a pretty straightforward matchup. Can the Commanders get enough pressure on Texans QB CJ Stroud to frustrate him and the offense?

But the Commanders have an equally daunting task, as the Texans will come hard and heavy in chasing Jayden Daniels. This should be a dandy game. WIN

Record: 10-3

Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the problems for the Jaguars will be the lack of explosive threats at the receiver position. That is, unless Brian Thomas Jr. returns to legitimate WR1 status.

The Jaguars will jump out in front, but stall. And the Texans will roar back for the sweep. WIN

Record: 11-3

Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles

Looking at the Eagles’ current roster, that’s a tough receiver room with AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Makai Lemon. And they still have QB Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley.

As things look now, this is all Eagles on their home field. LOSS

Record: 11-4

Week 17 at Green Bay Packers

Who knows what the Packers will produce this season? They’ve made questionable trades, especially when the Micah Parsons injury played out the way it did last year.

But on their home turf, they are tough. This game could go either way. LOSS

Record: 11-5

Week 18 vs. Tennessee Titans

It’s another go-around for the divisional rivals. And you would think the story would play out in much the same manner as the first one.

However, Titans head coach Robert Saleh brings something to the table. He will coax a great game out of Cam Ward, and this will be a big upset. LOSS

Record: 11-6

The final analysis

With a record of 11-6, the Texans should be in the playoffs. They should also be in the mix for the AFC South title. But will they be able to take the next step in the playoffs? A lot of it will depend on the ascension, or lack thereof, for Stroud. Will he be good enough in the postseason? That’s for another article.

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