REUNION IN CARDS FOR WATT, HOPKINS
Watt, Hopkins to play former team; 17-game schedule begins vs. Jaguars
An Oct. 24 visit to Arizona will be one Texans game to look forward to.
In a game destined to attract the most attention this season, the Texans play defensive end J.J. Watt, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 24 at State Farm Stadium.
The NFL released its 17-game schedule on Wednesday, and Texans’ fans are circling on their calendars the road game against the Cardinals because it features two of the greatest players in franchise history. Hopkins was traded to the Cardinals before the 2020 season. Watt was granted his release earlier in the offseason and joined Hopkins in Arizona.
The David Culley era begins Sept. 12 at NRG Stadium against Jacksonville and new coach Urban Meyer. Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith can show off his new 4-3 scheme against rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick in the draft.
The Jaguars have been established as a 1½-point favorite.
The Texans, who finished 4-12 last season, have a six-game winning streak against the Jaguars, an AFC South opponent coming off a 1-15 season.
The Texans have lost five consecutive openers. Their last victory was in 2016 when they defeated Chicago.
For the first time in NFL history, teams will play 17 games. The Texans’ extra game is Thursday, Sept. 23 against Carolina at NRG Stadium. It’s the Texans’ only prime-time appearance this season.
Playing an additional game moves back the end of the regular season a week. The Texans close at home against Tennessee on Jan. 9.
The first road game is against Cleveland on Sept. 19, and the last one is in Santa Clara, Calif., where the Texans will play the 49ers on Jan. 2.
Coaches and players prefer to have their open date in the middle of the season. The Texans get their break on Nov. 14, nine games into the season.
The Texans host both Los Angeles teams — the Rams on Oct. 31 and the Chargers on Dec. 26.
Besides the Rams, Chargers, Jaguars and Titans, the Texans host the Patriots (Oct. 10), Jets (Nov. 28), Colts (Dec. 5) and Seahawks (Dec. 12).
The Texans are playing New England for the sixth consecutive season. They defeated the Patriots at NRG Stadium in each of the last two seasons.
Other than the first road game against the Browns and the last one against the 49ers, the Texans travel to the Bills (Oct. 3), Colts (Oct. 17), Dolphins (Nov. 7), Titans (Nov. 21) and Jaguars (Dec. 19).
The Texans are playing a third-place schedule. They play six teams that reached the playoffs — Titans, Colts, Browns, Bills, Rams and Seahawks. They play three division winners in the Titans, Bills and Seahawks.
The NFL also announced the preseason schedule that includes only three games for the first time. The Texans start with road games against Green Bay on Aug. 14 and Dallas (to be determined). They close preseason Aug. 28 when they host Tampa Bay at 7 p.m.