Houston Texans 2019 schedule release: Games, dates and times
Following a 0-3 start, the Houston Texans got their act together and won the AFC South. But are they still the best team in the division?
Off a 4-12 finish and losers of their first three games this past season, the buzzards were circling Houston and Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien was the subject of much criticism. But as talented quarterback Deshaun Watson got healthier after suffering a knee injury last November, so did this team. Add in similar comebacks from defenders like J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus and the turnaround was on.
There would be nine consecutive victories and 11 wins in their final 13 contests. And the Texans would become the first team since the 1998 Buffalo Bills to overcome a 0-3 start to reach the playoffs. But the season would end at home with a playoff loss to the division-rival Colts. So are the Texans, a division champion in 2018, still the best team in the AFC South?
Here is how the complete schedule, week-by-week, lays out for the Houston Texans:
Week 1: at New Orleans Saints (Mon.)
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 3: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 4: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 5: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 9: at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 12: vs. Indianapolis Colts (Thurs.)
Week 13: vs. New England Patriots (Sun. nite)
Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 15: at Tennessee Titans
Week 16: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Houston secondary has seen its share of comings and goings. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, versatile Kareem Jackson and cornerback Kevin Johnson are all elsewhere thanks to different reasons. Enter safety Tashaun Gipson and corners Bradley Roby and Briean Boddy-Calhoun. It’s worth noting that only four teams in the league allowed more passing yards than the Texans in 2018.
More fansided.com: NFL Primetime: Rise of a Football Empire
Unlike a year ago when the team did not have picks in both the first and second round (part of drafting Watson in 2017), the Texans own the 23rd overall selection and a pair of choices (54 and 55) in the second round. It’s a team with some specific needs on the offensive line and could be addressed by general manager Brian Gaine later this month.