Houston Texans 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

This one is personal. No team has been living free in the Texans’ head longer than the New England Patriots. This is Bill O’Brien’s former employer and a team the Texans never seem to have any shot of beating. Fortunately for the Texans, New England no longer has Tom Brady as its starting quarterback. This leaves the door wide open for the Texans to take advantage of.

Not only are the Texans getting a playoff team from a year ago that clearly won’t be as good as it was in 2019, but they’re getting the Patriots at home. If the Texans cannot beat a depleted New England team at home this year, then they never will under O’Brien. Also, there is absolutely zero chance they win their other first-place schedule game this year: at the Kansas City Chiefs.

If the Texans want to insert themselves into the conversation as a top-tier team in the AFC, then they’ll need to split their first-place schedule games. Winning at Arrowhead is not happening under any stretch of the imagination. They’re also probably not beating the Baltimore Ravens at home at NRG, though that technically classifies as an AFC North game in divisional rotation.

To get to nine or 10 wins, you’ll need to have a galvanizing emotional victory to help get you there. For as much trouble as the Patriots have caused the Texans over the years, don’t think for a second Houston isn’t circling this game on the calendar. Though the Patriots are no longer the Evil Empire, a win over New England would do wonders in the Houston locker room.