The Houston Texans are set to begin the 2023 season. OTAs have come and gone, rookie mini-camp, training camp, and the preseason is done, and the Texans have established their final 53-man roster. Although, the roster will probably change in some respects between now and the start of the season.
Can Houston exceed last season's win total, having won only three games a year ago, I sure hope they can. I believe the Texans are headed in the right direction too. They may have their franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud and a huge building block on the defensive side with Will Anderson Jr.
No one expects this team to be a playoff team now, and while there is a path where that could happen, it's unlikely. The Texans are members of the AFC South, the weakest division in the AFC; however, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be tough to dethrone regardless. Plus, the addition of DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee makes the Titans a little better too. Indianapolis is still a mess with the Jonathan Taylor drama created by the Colts owner, Jim Irsay
The Houston Texans didn't look bad in preseason but still have a ways to go in their rebuild. If things continue as they appear right now, I expect this team to begin truly competing for a playoff spot in two to three seasons. But for now, let's get into my week-by-week score predictions.
Week 1: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, 09/10
This was not very nice of the NFL schedule makers to make Stroud's NFL debut against one of the top teams in the AFC. Why couldn't have been a team like the Arizona Cardinals or Cleveland Browns? Oh well, it's going to be a rough start to the season with this opener but at least the Texans have an easier go of it for their home opener. Ravens 24 - 13
Week 2: Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts - Sunday, 09/17
Okay, this is a much better matchup and one that I think the Texans can win. The Colts are a mess these days with Jim Irsay ruining things with Jonathan Taylor, but they do have one of the more exciting rookies to watch this season. That said, I think the Texans are the better team this year and win this one at home. Texans 21 - 17
Week 3: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sunday, 09/24
I would love to give this game to the Texans but I don't believe they are on the Jaguars level yet. I know some fans think the Jags were a one-year wonder but this is going to be a very good team in year two under head coach Doug Pederson. Lawrence was vastly improved last year and is going into year three now and will be even better. Sorry, Texans fans, Houston just isn't there yet. Jaguars 27 - 17
Week 4: Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, 10/01
The Steelers looked great in the preseason games and Kenny Pickett looks to have established a winning connection with George Pickens. Pittsburgh usually brings great defense as well and T.J. Watt is going to be a problem for the Texans offensive line. I want the Texans for the upset here but I'm afraid it won't happen. Steelers 31 - 17
Week 5: Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, 10/08
This is a winnable game for the Texans. The Falcons have the best player from the 2023 NFL Draft in Bijan Robinson, with a solid up-and-coming talent in wide receiver Drake London. But I'm not confident in their young quarterback Desmond Ridder. Their defense is suspect as well and the Texans can take advantage of that and put up some points this week. Texans 28 - 10
Week 6: Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints - Sunday, 10/15
Not much has been talked about with the Saints this year but I think this team is going to be one of the top teams in the NFC. If you're a Derek Carr fan or not, he's better than any option the Saints have had since Drew Brees retired. I think the Texans' defense will keep Houston alive in this game but in the end, the Texans just don't have the firepower on offense to score enough against the Saints' defense. Saints 21 - 13
Week 7: Bye
Week 8: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers - Sunday, 10/29
The Carolina Panthers are essentially in a rebuild as well. The Panthers Bryce Young and Houston's C.J. Stroud will forever be compared since they were the first two picks in the NFL draft. Fair or not, that's how fans will look at it. The Panthers have some pieces of the puzzle in place, but I think the Texans might be further along in terms of talent. I like the Texans to win this one. Texans 24 - 17
Week 9: Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sunday, 11/05
Tampa recently announced that Baker Mayfield will be the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers. I'm not sure he'll be the starting quarterback by the time the Texans see them in Week Nine but regardless of who the quarterback is, I think Houston can win this game. The Bucs still have one of the best duos at wide receiver with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but they don't have much else beyond that. Houston's secondary will be one of their biggest strengths too, so Houston wins this one as well and their first back-to-back wins of the 2023 season. Texans 23 - 16
Week 10: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday, 11/12
Unfortunately, the winning streak stops here. Houston is not ready for the Cincinnati Bengals yet. I hope they can be competitive in this game but it will be one of their toughest matchups all season. The Texans' secondary will be good this season but even the best secondaries have a hard time corralling the Bengals' passing attack. If the Texans can get to Joe Burrow, they might be able to stay in the game but the Bengals take this one. Bengals 27 - 17
Week 11: Houston Texans vs Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, 11/19
The Texans get back in the win column against the Arizona Cardinals. I think the Cardinals might be one of the worst teams in the league and vying for the number one pick in the 2024 NL Draft. Kyler Murray will be back on the field by this point in the season, but it won't matter. They just don't have much to offer in terms of offensive weapons and their defense won't be good either. Texans 31 - 14
Week 12: Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sunday, 11/26
Round two with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the result will be the same. I do think Houston makes this one a better, closer game. Stroud will have a lot more experience and understanding of the offense, as well as doing better reading defenses. At least that is the hope. As the season goes, he should get better and the Texans as a team. At the end of the day, the Jaguars are still the better team in 2023 and sweep the Texans. Jaguars 27 - 23
Week 13: Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos - Sunday, 12/03
The Broncos are hard to read, Last season they were not good and Russell Wilson was terrible. Sean Payton comes into the picture now but will he be able to resurrect Wilson's career? The Broncos have some talent on their roster but that didn't reflect in the wins last season. Will simply hiring Payton as the head coach change that? Maybe but I still have the Texans winning. Texans 23 - 21
Week 14: Houston Texans at New York Jets - Sunday, 12/10
The New York Jets are a good team and will field one of the best defenses in the NFL. With Aaron Rodgers behind center, they'll be a solid offensive team as well and will be one of the toughest teams in the league. I expect the Jets to battle it out with the Bills all season for the AFC East title and make a run in the playoffs. I don't see a path for a Texans win here. Jets 27 - 13
Week 15: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans - Sunday, 12/17
I'm not sold on the Tennessee Titans in 2023 and don't think they'll be that good. At best, they are a middle-of-the-pack team, even adding Hopkins this offseason. He makes them better but doesn't move the needle that much for me. At best, Tannehill is an average quarterback, not capable of carrying a team on his back consistently and Henry isn't getting younger. He has a ton of miles on those legs and will begin to slow down. That said, I think they do win this one against the Texans but don't worry, Houston will get their revenge in a couple of weeks. Titans 21 -20
Week 16: Houston Texans vs Cleveland Browns - Sunday, 12/24
This is another team that is up in the air for me. I don't know how good or bad Deshaun Watson will be and he hasn't looked very good in preseason but the Browns have a talented roster. I know fans will want to have that chip on their shoulder and see Watson lose but the players don't care about all that. Most of the players were not on the roster when Watson was starting there. I'm sorry Texans fans but I'm going Browns here. Browns 23 - 17
Week 17: Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans - Sunday, 12/31
For the second time in three weeks, the Texans will face the Titans, but this time Houston will be on their home turf. The Texans play three divisional games over the final four weeks of the season and have an opportunity to finish the season strong in the AFC South. They will get this one and split the regular season head-to-head with the Tennessee Titans. Texans 24 - 20
Week 18: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - TBD
Houston closes out the 2023 season with another divisional battle, this time with the Indianapolis Colts. As I mentioned earlier, the Texans have a chance to finish the season on a high note and build some momentum heading into the offseason. I think they win this game and sweep the season series with the Colts. A win here would give them three wins in the division and considering they only won three games all of season, that would be a huge accomplishment and a step in the right direction. This would also be the Texans' eighth win of the season and a vast improvement overall from last season. Texans 27 - 13