Houston Texans schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2026 season

The Houston Texans are searching for a third AFC South title in four seasons.

Since drafting C.J. Stroud second overall, the Texans have improved tremendously, but the offense was a major letdown in the 2025 postseason. They could not overcome the eventual AFC champion Patriots in the divisional round as Stroud tossed four interceptions.

The Jacksonville Jaguars usurped them for the division title last season but the Texans were one of eight teams to win at least 12 games.

Stroud should continue to build with the young offense around him, including second-year wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Nico Collins leads the playmakers, while Tank Dell is expected to return after missing the 2025 season.

The team also traded for veteran running back David Montgomery this offseason.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans has helped design the NFL's top defense, a unit which is loaded with talent: Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre lead the secondary, while star pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. both landed extensions, in addition to linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

Will the Texans be legitimate contenders in the AFC and finally make a deep run in the playoffs under the leadership of DeMeco Ryans? Here’s a look at the schedule for Stroud and the Texans in 2026.

Houston Texans schedule 2026

This section will be updated when the NFL schedule is released on May 14:

• Week 1: vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 5: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 6: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (in London)
• Week 7: vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 8: BYE
• Week 9: at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 10: at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
• Week 12: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ("Sunday Night Football")
• Week 14: at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
• Week 17: at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN ("Monday Night Football")
• Week 18: vs. Tennessee Titans, TBD

Texans record prediction 2026

Record prediction: 10-7

The Houston Texans went 12-5 and returned to the playoffs for the third consecutive season despite failing to win the AFC South. C.J. Stroud will look to bounce back after struggling in the postseason.

Entering 2026, Houston has the seventh-hardest strength-of-schedule, according to Sharp Football Analysis. The Jaguars are expected to be among the AFC contenders but the Titans are still rebuilding and several question marks surround the Colts. The Texans will face the AFC North and NFC East in non-divisional play.

Outside of that, Houston plays fellow second-place finishers the Bills, Packers and Chargers. None of those will be easy contests, even with the latter two games being played at home.

Still, with the league's best defense, the Texans should remain above .500 with ease despite likely not besting their 12-5 season last year. Even if the defense takes a step back, the offense should take a step forward.

Texans 2026 home opponents

• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans
• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants

Texans 2026 away opponents

• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans
• Cleveland Browns
• Green Bay Packers
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Washington Commanders

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