Houston Texans have 30th toughest NFL schedule in 2014

Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) during the first half at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans are being projected as having the 30th toughest NFL schedule for the 2014 season out of 32 teams.

The Texans’ opponents for 2014 had a winning percentage of .441 last season, as the entire AFC South is ranked 29-32.

Listed with the toughest schedule for 2014 are … you guessed it … the Oakland Raiders, as their future opponents had a .578 winning percentage in 2013. Only the Raiders can get the toughest schedule in the NFL when coming off a season of being 4-12 overall.

The second-place team in the NFL, the Denver Broncos, will have the second-toughest schedule (.570), and the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are sixth on the list with their ’14 opponents having a winning percentage of .561.

In any team needs an “easier” schedule, it is the Texans as they lost their final 14 games of the ’13 season, which forced them to fire Gary Kubiak and hire new head coach Bill O’Brien, who brought in an entire coaching staff, except for a couple coaches.

Houston, who were an NFL-worst 2-14 last season, will play the following teams next season home and away:

• Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

• Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)

• Tennessee Titans (7-9)

The following games are also listed at home for the Texans:

• Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

• Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

• Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

• Washington Redskins (3-13)

• Buffalo Bills (6-10)

The following games are listed as away:

• Cleveland Browns (4-12)

• Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

• Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

• New York Giants (7-9)

• Oakland Raiders (4-12)