The Houston Texans entered their bye week with a record of 3-3 and have to feel good about where they stand.
DeMeco Ryans has been earning the respect of the players and that’s leading to confidence on the field. Of course, it also helps that C.J. Stroud is performing well and has just one pick on the season (which ended up coming right back when the defense fumbled the ball on the return).
Now, they’re enjoying a week off and will head to North Carolina in Week 8. Let’s take some time to look ahead to that game and all the rest on the schedule with this game-by-game prediction for the Texans.
Week 8 at Carolina Panthers
Carolina had the No. 1 pick in the draft this past season and decided to take Bryce Young from Alabama. He hasn’t started off as hot as Stroud but is still beginning to figure things out.
However, the Texans are still the better team right now — and Stroud is further along. That leads to a win for the road team.
Prediction: Texans 24, Panthers 16
Record: 4-3
Week 9 Houston Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Houston faces another NFC South opponent in Week 9 with the Tampa Bay Bucs coming to town. Baker Mayfield has played well this season and is usually pretty solid inside a dome stadium. This one gets away from the Texans.
Prediction: Bucs 27, Texans 14
Record: 4-4
Week 10 Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals
Next up for the Texans is the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow and his squad haven’t been nearly as dangerous this season but they still can get hot — especially Ja’Marr Chase.
Houston has a hard time containing him in this prediction and comes up just short.
Prediction: Bengals 31, Texans 27
Record: 4-5
Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Back in Houston for Week 11, the Texans welcome Josh Dobbs (unless Kyler Murray is back) and the Arizona Cardinals to town. So far this season, Arizona has been struggling and even if Murray is back, that won’t be enough.
Perhaps they can land a few punches (assuming they don’t trade Marquise Brown who is their only real threat) but the Texans offense should have its way with this defense.
Prediction: Texans 34, Cardinals 21
Record: 5-5
Week 12 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville remains the favorites in the AFC South and they're starting to really click. That means the Texans will have their hands full when they have to host the Jags in Week 12. They get handed a defeat here but at least they still split the series.
Prediction: Jaguars 26, Texans 19
Record: 5-6
Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
Sean Payton in Denver just isn't working. There are theories that the Broncos are tanking for Caleb Williams. If not, then Payton has some serious issues to figure out. Houston gets back in the win column easily here.
Prediction: Texans 37, Broncos 20
Record: 6-6
Week 14 at New York Jets
Originally, this one looked like a loss. The Jets have a tough defense and Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be under center. With Zach Wilson running the offense, New York isn't able to score enough to knock off the Texans — but it's still very close.
Prediction: Texans 21, Jets 20
Record: 7-6
Week 15 at Tennessee Titans
The first of two matchups between Houston and Tennessee doesn't come until Week 15 of the season as the Texans head to Nashville. The Titans have struggled mightily this season and it doesn't seem as though they're going to turn it around in a hurry. That opens the door for Houston to notch another win in the division.
Prediction: Texans 23, Titans 17
Record: 8-6
Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns
This season, the Cleveland Browns have an elite defense. They shut down the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 as they scored a statement win — without their starting quarterback. By Week 16, he should be back so the Texans will see Deshaun Watson for the second time since trading him. And for the second time, Cleveland scores the win.
Prediction: Browns 30, Texans 24
Record: 8-7
Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans
After struggling with Cleveland, the Texans welcome a chance to play Tennessee again. Not much has changed since their earlier win other than Houston being highly motivated to secure a winning campaign while also erasing the loss to the Browns from their minds. That's what happens here as they easily win this time for win No. 9.
Prediction: Texans 26, Titans 10
Record: 9-7
Week 18 at Indianapolis Colts
In Week 2, Gardner Minshew had to come in for an injured Anthony Richardson and led Indianapolis to a win over the Texans. C.J. Stroud did what he could with 384 yards and two touchdowns but he was sacked six times and there was no help from the ground game. In the season finale, they get their revenge in a back-and-forth game by winning on a last-second field goal. 10 wins is impressive but in the AFC, they'll need some help to make the playoffs still.
Prediction: Texans 20, Colts 17
Record: 10-7