BEST GUESS? NOT GOOD
VS. JACKSONVILLE NOON SEPT. 12 (CBS)
There’ll be so many new coaches and players at NRG Stadium. David Culley waited 27 years for this moment. Urban Meyer came out of retirement to test his coaching ability in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence vs. Lovie Smith. The Texans have a six-game winning streak in this AFC South series.
Prediction: Texans 22-20 Record: 1-0
VS. CAROLINA 7:20 P.M. SEPT. 23 (NFL)
This is the Texans’ opponent for the new 17th game and their only prime-time game of the season. In 2019, the Panthers embarrassed the Texans at NRG Stadium. They’ll try to do it again. The defense has to corral Christian McCaffrey and contain Sam Darnold in his first season with Carolina.
Prediction: Texans 23-20 Record: 2-1
VS. L.A. RAMS NOON OCT. 31 (FOX)
The Texans beat Matthew Stafford at Detroit last season, but Deshaun Watson was their quarterback. Stafford is playing for a better team with a better coach in Sean McVay. The Texans won’t be expected to score a lot of points against an above-average Rams’ defense. This one could be decided early.
Prediction: Rams 27-13
Record: 3-5
VS. SEATTLE NOON DEC. 12 (FOX)
The Seahawks and Rams are competing for the NFC West title. Left tackle Duane Brown plays his first game at NRG Stadium since being traded to Seattle in 2017. Russell Wilson has been outstanding. Davis Mills is no match for Wilson, and the Texans are no match for the Seahawks.
Prediction: Seahawks 31-16 Record: 4-9
AT BUFFALO NOON OCT. 3 (CBS)
The exhilaration over the 2-1 start ends with another loss on the road to another Super Bowl contender. The Bills are coming off a 13-3 record. They’re one of the NFL’s elite teams. The last time they played the Texans, they lost a wild card playoff game at NRG Stadium after the 2019 season.
Prediction: Bills 31-16 Record: 2-2
AT MIAMI NOON NOV. 7 (FOX)
After a 10-6 season in which they failed to make the playoffs, the Dolphins are hoping to challenge the Bills in the AFC East. The Texans get their first look at Tua Tagovailoa. His most dangerous deep threat is Will Fuller playing in his first season after signing with the Dolphins.
Prediction: Dolphins 24-17 Record: 3-6
AT JACKSONVILLE NOON DEC. 19 (CBS)
Urban Meyer is a better NFL coach, and Trevor Lawrence is a better NFL quarterback than they were in their opening loss to the Texans. Neither team is going anywhere. Rather than Tyrod Taylor, this time Lawrence is going against Davis Mills. The Jaguars win to split the AFC South series.
Prediction: Jaguars 19-17
Record: 4-10
VS. NEW ENGLAND NOON OCT. 10 (CBS)
The Texans have a two-game winning streak over the Patriots at NRG Stadium. They beat Tom Brady and Cam Newton the last two seasons. They get their first look at rookie Mac Jones. Lovie Smith will have a game plan designed to create takeaways. David Culley gets a victory over Bill Belichick.
Prediction: Texans 19-16 Record: 3-2
AT TENNESSEE NOON NOV. 21 (CBS)
Coming off their open date with a four-game losing streak, rookie Davis Mills is promoted to starting quarterback. His debut is a tough one against the Titans, who are on their way to winning the AFC South and contending for the Super Bowl. The Texans can’t score or stop Derrick Henry.
Prediction: Titans 34-10 Record: 3-7
VS. L.A. CHARGERS NOON DEC. 26 (CBS)
The Texans play against Justin Herbert for the first time. He was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Brandon Staley is in his first season as the Chargers’ coach, and he has them in contention for a wild-card berth. Davis Mills continues to make progress but not enough to win this game.
Prediction: Chargers 29-27 Record: 4-11
AT INDIANAPOLIS NOON OCT. 17 (CBS)
A third consecutive game on the road against a team that reached the playoffs last season. The Colts defeated the Texans by six and seven points in 2020. This is the fourth season in a row the Texans face a different starting quarterback. Carson Wentz follows Philip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett and Andrew Luck.
Prediction: Colts 24-17
Record: 3-3
VS. N.Y. JETS NOON NOV. 28 (CBS)
With a 3-7 record and a fivegame losing streak, the Texans play the first of three consecutive home games. Davis Mills vs. Zach Wilson, rookie quarterbacks experiencing growing pains. New Jets coach Robert Saleh is playing against his former team in his former stadium. Mills outplays Wilson.
Prediction: Texans 24-20 Record: 4-7
AT SAN FRANCISCO 3:05 P.M. JAN. 2 (CBS)
The Texans play against a rookie quarterback in Trey Lance, who replaced Jimmy Garoppolo as Kyle Shanahan’s starter. This is the fifth game in which the Texans have played against a rookie quarterback, including Trevor Lawrence twice. Lance outplays Davis Mills. The Texans finish 0-8 on the road.
Prediction: 49ers 23-16
Record: 4-12
AT CLEVELAND NOON SEPT. 19 (CBS)
The Browns defeated the Texans in terrible Cleveland weather last season on their way to an 11-5 record and the second round of the playoffs. They should be even better this season. Laremy Tunsil and Charlie Heck have to block Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. This game could get ugly in a hurry.
Prediction: Browns 30-13 Record: 1-1
AT ARIZONA 3:25 P.M. OCT. 24 (CBS)
This is the game Texans fans have targeted since the schedule came out. J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins will be frothing at the mouth to excel against the team that drafted them. Unfortunately, Bill O’Brien will be in Alabama rather than Glendale. Expect the Cards to drop the hammer.
Prediction: Cardinals 31-19 Record: 3-4
VS. INDIANAPOLIS NOON DEC. 5 (CBS)
The Colts are trying to stay close to the Titans in the race to win the AFC South, a distinction that used to belong to the Texans as recently as 2019. Carson Wentz is playing better. The Colts’ running game is one of the NFL’s best. A playoff team starts December crunch time by escaping with a victory.
Prediction: Colts 23-19
Record: 4-8
VS. TENNESSEE NOON JAN. 9 (CBS)
The Titans have the second-best record in the AFC. They know they’ll host a playoff game. Mike Vrabel rests most of his starters, including Derrick Henry. He’s absorbed a lot of punishment over 16 games, and even though he’s owned the Texans, Henry gets a breather. Mercifully for the Texans.
Prediction: Texans 23-17 Record: 5-12