The NFL schedule was released less than a week ago, showing everyone who the Houston Texans will be facing each week. Below are some of the key matchups to watch in each of the Texans regular season games for the 2022 NFL season.
Week 1 (IND @ HOU): New-Era Texans vs. New-Look Colts
After all the buzz surrounding the Texans offseason many in the media, as well as fans, have signaled for a new era in Houston with general manager Nick Caserio at the helm. It’s only fitting that the Texans open at home against their AFC Rivals. Can the Texans win their season-opener against Matt Ryan and the Colts? Expect Houston to be buzzing on Sept. 11 at NRG Stadium.
Week 2 (HOU @ DEN): Broncos WRs vs. Texans DBs
We will see if the Broncos are as good as they’ve been hyped up to be or if they simply added a Super Bowl quarterback (Russell Wilson) to a slightly above average team. Some have called the Denver wide receiving corps elite, but can the remade secondary of the Texans keep them in check?
Week 3 (HOU @ CHI): Davis Mills vs. Justin Fields
There’s a lot of hype around these two young quarterbacks going into the 2022 season. It will be interesting (and perhaps telling) to see which of these young quarterbacks comes out on top of this matchup. Both quarterbacks are still learning the NFL while in a role of a starting quarterback.
Week 4 (LAC @ HOU): Charges Offense vs Texans Defense
In Week 4, Houston faces arguably their first high-caliber opponent of the season, and this game will be won or lost on the defensive side of the ball. Can the Texans secondary, which includes rookies Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre, plus a revamped front seven take on the dual-threat Los Angeles offense?
Week 5 (HOU @ JAC): Texans O-Line vs. Jaguars Front Seven
The Jaguars have invested heavy draft capital into their front seven over the past four years including their first and 27th overall picks of 2022 with those players being Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd. Houston also invested in their offensive line by picking up Tytus Howard’s fifth-year option and drafting Kenyon Green in the first round, plus they have Laremy Tunsil at left tackle. It’ll be a battle in the trenches and could decide who wins this game.
Week 6 (BYE)
Week 7 (HOU @ LVR): Derek Stingley Jr. vs. Davante Adams
The Raiders traded their 2022 first and second round picks to ink Davante Adams to a $141 million deal. Likewise, Houston made Derek Stingley Jr. one of the highest drafted cornerbacks in the history of the NFL Draft. All eyes are on Stingley, so let’s see what the rookie is made of.
Week 8 (TEN @ HOU): Jonathan Greenard vs. Taylor Lewan
It’s no secret that Derrick Henry is a human wrecking ball, and did I mention he was clocked running 21 miles per hour last season? If the Texans are going to win this game, they have to make the Titans one-dimensional, which means Jonathan Greenard has to get to the quarterback to prevent rookie Treylon Burks from having a career game.
Week 9 (PHI @ HOU): Marlon Mack/Dameon Pierce vs. Miles Sanders/Boston Scott
This is a strange matchup with neither team presenting the upper hand. The outcome of this game is going to be determined by which team has the 100-yard rushing game, and both teams have running backs capable of putting up good numbers.
Week 10 (HOU @ NYG): Derek Stingley Jr. vs. Kayvon Thibodeaux
Who will get the most out of their top-5 pick over the next five years? Will Texans fans leave this game wondering if they selected the right guy at No. 3 overall? You can bet these guys will be under the microscope all night, because many also wanted the Texans to work on their pass rush by selecting Kayvon Thibodeaux, who instead will be rushing Texans quarterback Davis Mills.
Week 11 (WAS @ HOU): Texans DBs vs. Carson Wentz
There isn’t much glitz and glamor to this game, but I am sure the Texans did not appreciate Carson Wentz (as a member of the Colts) dropping 31 points on them twice in 2021. I am also sure the Texans defensive backs will be chomping at the bit to shut the new Commanders quarterback down.
Week 12 (HOU @ MIA): Derek Stingley Jr. vs. Tyreek Hill
This is another big matchup for Stingley as Tyreek Hill has proved uncoverable thus far in his career. Stingley flouted elite speed and fluidity in his Pro Day workout, hopefully it will translate to on-the-field results in the NFL. This is a must-see matchup for Week 12.
Week 13 (CLE @ HOU): The Texans Fans vs. Deshaun Watson
Regrettably, this game is not in primetime as Deshaun Watson will step onto the Texans field at NRG Stadium for the first time in a Browns uniform. His final season and departure from Houston was messy, disappointing, and unpleasant for the city and franchise. Don’t expect a pleasant welcome from the fans in NRG Stadium.
Week 14 (HOU @ DAL): Texans WRs vs. Dallas WRs
Maybe I am being idealistic, but I predict a gunslinging shootout in Arlington. Brandin Cooks and John Metchie III take on CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup for what predicts to be a high scoring battle. Maybe Metchie III can ask DeAndre Hopkins to teach him that spin move?
Week 15 (KC @ HOU): The Up-and-Coming Texans vs. The World Champion Chiefs
Don’t expect the Texans to beat the Chiefs, but we are going to see if this young Houston team has grit. Is this is a preview of the 2024 AFC Championship game?
Week 16 (HOU @ TEN): John Metchie III vs. Treylon Burks
Both Tennessee and Houston took rookie receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft that they expect to have immediate impact on their offenses. If the Texans are going to the make the Wild Card this is going to be a make-or-break game in Tennessee. One of these two receivers are going to have to make a play for their team to come out on top.
Week 17 (JAC @ HOU): Dameon Pierce vs. Jaguars Front Seven
Late in the season, Dameon Pierce will have a chance to prove himself as Houston’s RB1. With a crowded backfield, Pierce will need to pull away from the pack to secure a starting role in 2023.
Week 18 (HOU @ IND): The Texans Will vs. The Colts Will
This game has been labeled with a TBD date and time because it could be a decisive game for both teams concerning the playoffs. Either way, don’t expect the Texans to cruise into the postseason or offseason. The starters will be on the field, and it could be a competitive game.