The Houston Texans had a magical season in 2023. They went from a three-win team the year before to a playoff-winning team with a rookie head coach, an offensive coordinator, and a quarterback.
It's safe to say no one saw that coming at all. The Texans shocked everyone, and they did it with one of the youngest teams, too, which is why everyone feels they will only get better in 2024. They very well could be playing for a chance at a Super Bowl next season.
But first, we have to see who they are playing when they play them, and who the biggest matchups will be.
Texans vs. Jaguars: The Texans could likely be battling the Jaguars for the first spot in the division all season long.
Texans @ Cowboys: Is there anything else to say? These two teams don't play often, but it's the battle of Texas.
Texans @ Chiefs: Let's see how the Texans stack up against the best.
The Houston Texans did not have any primetime games last season besides their playoff games against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. So, you can likely expect there to be at least three, but I'm predicting five. One of the division games will be a primetime game, and it will likely be against the Jaguars.
The game against the Chiefs will be a primetime game, as everyone will want to see Stroud vs. Mahomes. The Cowboys game will likely be a primetime game for obvious reasons.
As far as the Week 1 game, the Texans played an AFC foe in the Baltimore Ravens. So, we may not see a division opponent in Week 1. If we did, I'd be willing to bet it was the Tennessee Titans or the Indianapolis Colts, mainly because I don't think those two teams will be the last game of the year.
If they decide to do a team that's in the AFC but not in the division, I could see the Chiefs being the Week 1 opponent on Thursday Night Football, similar to what the NFL did last season with the Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. The Week 18 game will likely be the Jaguars as they fight for the division lead.
C.J. Stroud vs. Patrick Mahomes: This one is a no-brainer. We are talking about a top-five QB already in Stroud and maybe the most talented QB we have ever seen in Mahomes, who is well on his way to claiming the GOAT title.
Derek Stingley vs. Tyreek Hill: This matchup should be pure cinema. This is one of the best CBs in the league vs. one of the best WRs.
Texans O-Line vs. Cowboys D-Line: As we have seen, Stroud and Micah Parsons are pretty good friends outside of football. But Parsons is a beast, and the offensive line will have its hands full.
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