NFL schedule 2018: Each team’s biggest game

Houston Texans: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Injuries to multiple key players led to the Texans finishing 4-12 last year, including a decisive season sweep at the hands of the resurgent Jaguars. Jacksonville outscored Houston 74-14 in the two games, including Week 1 with Tom Savage starting under center and Week 15 with T.J. Yates getting the nod.

It’s easy to foresee a dramatic turnaround this year for the Texans, with Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt in particular back healthy and a lot of talent elsewhere on the roster. This team won a division in 2016, albeit with nine wins, with Brock Osweiler starting 14 games.

Houston swept the season series from Jacksonville for three straight years prior to last year, with two AFC South titles (2015 and 2016, as mentioned) along the way. The division looks sure to be pretty competitive in 2018, with the Tennessee Titans coming of a playoff berth and Wild Card Round win, so the team or teams that wins the majority of their games within the division will have an edge.

Houston is a dark horse to go to the Super Bowl out of the AFC. Any chance to set up that possibility, even casually, will rest on at least earning a split with the defending division champs and taking back some reign over the AFC South.