Texans vs. Raiders Reportedly Set to Be Played in Mexico City

The Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders will reportedly face each other in Mexico City next season, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN and John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. 

The NFL is extending its international series beyond the United Kingdom, where it has hosted games for several seasons now. The NFL last played in Mexico City in 2005 at Estadio Azteca, with the Arizona Cardinals defeating the San Francisco 49ers in a regular-season matchup.

According to McClain, Texans team president Jamey Rootes discussed the possibility after visiting Mexico City during the season:

"

We've always expressed that we have an interest in participating internationally as a road team (and), we've made it clear that we were most interested in doing that in Mexico. It's an amazing opportunity for teams and the league.

Mexico City is a logical choice for a team like the Texans. We'd be a great ambassador for the league.

"

A matchup between the Texans and Raiders would also be a matchup of two of the teams that showed the most improvement in the 2015 season. The Texans started 2-5 before winning seven of their last nine games to take the AFC South title and reach the postseason. They appear to be a good quarterback away from being one of the better teams in the AFC.

The Raiders, meanwhile, went 7-9 this past season, led by young stars Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack. That was an improvement of four wins and an indication that the Raiders are on the right track after years of poor football.