The Houston Texans have an opportunity to reverse an unfortunate trend in week one against the Buffalo Bills. That being, across their now 25-season history, Houston has a record of 11-12-1 in the first week of NFL play. For context, their week one's have looked as follows (according to Statmuse):
- 2002: 19-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys
- 2003: 21-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins
- 2004: 27-20 defeat against the San Diego Chargers
- 2005: 22-7 defeat against the Buffalo Bills
- 2006: 24-10 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles
- 2007: 20-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs
- 2008: 38-17 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2009: 24-7 defeat against the New York Jets
- 2010: 34-24 victory against the Indianapolis Colts
- 2011: 34-7 victory against the Indianapolis Colts
- 2012: 30-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins
- 2013: 31-28 victory over the San Diego Chargers
- 2014: 17-6 victory over the Washington Commanders*
- 2015: 27-20 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs
- 2016: 23-14 victory over the Chicago Bears
- 2017: 29-7 defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2018: 27-20 defeat against the New England Patriots
- 2019: 30-28 defeat against the New Orleans Saints
- 2020: 34-20 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs
- 2021: 37-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2022: 20-20 tie against the Indianapolis Colts
- 2023: 25-9 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens
- 2024: 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts
- 2025: 14-9 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams
While there are much greater stakes at play than not starting the campaign off 0-1, the reality is that a fast start to the year would bode well for their preferred long-term accomplishments. In 2025, Houston didn't get their first win until their week four 26-0 triumph over the Tennessee Titans, making them 1-3 at the time. From that point on, the Texans had zero margin for error in their pursuit of turning around their season and making the playoffs.
They eventualy managed to rip off nine-streak victories to close a revitalized season, launching themselves into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. However, an equalizing victory next Sunday would create a much better feeling about the projected trajectory of the team in 2026.
The Houston Texans can continue reversing history with a fast start in week one against the Buffalo Bills
Since DeMeco Ryans' hire as head coach back in 2023, the Texans have been on a mission to rewrite the narrative of their franchise in the modern era. And thus far, they've been tremendously successful at it.
It started with catapulting from a three-year stretch of 11-38-1 football from 2020-2023, to becoming a perennial AFC playoff contender from 2023-2025, and now being a legitimate Super Bowl threat in 2026. They taken on and defeated the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, as well as being undefeated in the WIldcard round with multiple blowouts of top tier defenses under their collective belt (Cleveland Browns in 2023, Los Angeles Chargers in 2024).
Heading into the organization's 25th year in operation, the group is now hungrier than ever to capitalize on the very real Super Bowl opportunity that lies in front of them. And yes, that journey begins with having to rewrite even more history, by way of evening up their week one all-time record and turning way Allen and co. in an early-season shwodown of two of the projected best in the AFC.
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