Houston Texans 2012 NFL Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions, Info and Analysis

It was a memorable 2011, as the Houston Texans became the AFC South divisional champs after finishing the regular season with a 10-6 record. They then defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the first-ever playoff game at Reliant Stadium.

But the momentum came to a screeching halt the following week in the divisional round with a crushing 20-13 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

There’s work that still needs to be done in 2012, but the Texans are a hot commodity in the NFL, as they have five nationally televised games on their schedule for the upcoming season. This includes four prime-time games.

Here is the full Houston Texans 2012 NFL schedule:

*Home games in bold

Week 1: 9/9, 1:00 p.m. ET Miami Dolphins (CBS)

Week 2: 9/16, 1:00 p.m. ET at Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS)

Week 3: 9/23, 4:15 p.m. ET at Denver Broncos (CBS)

Week 4: 9/30, 1:00 p.m. ET Tennessee Titans (CBS)

Week 5: 10/8, 8:30 p.m. ET at New York Jets (ESPN)

Week 6: 10/14, 8:20 p.m. ET Green Bay Packers (NBC)

Week 7: 10/21, 1:00 p.m. ET Baltimore Ravens (CBS)

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: 11/4, 1:00 p.m. ET Buffalo Bills (CBS)

Week 10: 11/11, 8:20 p.m. ET at Chicago Bears (NBC)

Week 11: 11/18, 1:00 p.m. ET Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS)

Week 12: 11/22, 12:30 p.m. ET at Detroit Lions (CBS)

Week 13: 12/2, 1:00 p.m. ET at Tennessee Titans (CBS)

Week 14: 12/10, 8:30 p.m. ET at New England Patriots (ESPN)

Week 15: 12/16, 1:00 p.m. ET Indianapolis Colts (CBS)

Week 16: 12/23, 1:00 p.m. ET Minnesota Vikings (Fox)

Week 17: 12/30, 1:00 p.m. ET at Indianapolis Colts (CBS)

Week 1: Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, September 9 at 1 p.m.

Dolphins 2011 Record: 6-10

Analysis: The Texans kick off the 2012 regular season against the Miami Dolphins at Reliant Stadium. Everyone was a little surprised that the NFL gave them a third consecutive home opener, and their sixth in the last seven years.

No one in Houston is complaining about the Texans' opponent, as they are undefeated against the Dolphins.

The hometown folks will be cheering for QB Matt Schaub's return to the field and for the defense to harass the quarterback in the backfield.

Outcome: Win

Week 2: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Where: EverBank Field

When: Sunday, September 16 at 1 p.m.

Jaguars 2011 Record: 5-11

Analysis: If the Texans are going to have the same success as last season, they must generate a consistent pass rush from their defensive front seven.

If they can do it against Jacksonville, then we’ll get a quick read on the development of Blaine Gabbert as an NFL starting quarterback.

Outcome: Win

Week 3: Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High

When: Sunday, September 23 at 4:15 p.m.

Broncos 2011 Record: 8-8

Analysis: The Texans will travel to Denver and take on their old divisional nemesis in QB Peyton Manning, who holds a 16-2 lifetime record against them.

They might be catching him at the right time, as Manning and the Bronco offense might not be in sync this early in the regular season. I don’t anticipate seeing him taking too many snaps during the preseason, and it will take Manning some time to gain chemistry with his new teammates.

This could allow defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to create a few wrinkles within his scheme and catch Manning off guard.

Texans fans should feel very fortunate that they’re facing the Broncos in Week 3.

Outcome: Win

Week 4: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, September 30 at 1 p.m.

Titans 2011 Record: 9-7

Analysis: This is a big early-season divisional matchup, as the Tennessee Titans are expected to be the Texans' main competition for the divisional crown.

It should be a great duel between two quality running backs (Texans' Arian Foster and Titans' Chris Johnson), thus giving the Texans their first meaningful victory of the season. 

Outcome: Win

Week 5: Houston Texans at New York Jets

Where: MetLife Stadium

When: Monday, October 8 at 8:30 p.m.

Jets 2011 Record: 8-8

Analysis: The Texans are heading to New York to play the first of their team-record five nationally televised games, surpassing their previous high of three prime-time appearances in 2010.

Unfortunately, they have struggled on Monday Night Football, as the Texans' record is 1-3.

The New York Jets desperately need a signature win over a playoff contender, and the Texans look like a qualified candidate. Jets fans may not have too wait long for their first Tim Tebow appearance, as he will lead them to a comeback win over Houston.

Outcome: Loss

Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, October 14 at 8:20 p.m.

Packers 2011 Record: 15-1

Analysis: It’s tough to rattle QB Aaron Rodgers, as he threw only six interceptions all last season. A team might have a better chance of harassing him in the backfield, as the Packers offensive line allowed 36 sacks last year.

Holding the Pack to 20 points will be a difficult task for the defense, especially trying to contain Green Bay's talented wide receiver corps.

The Texans will be hosting their lone prime-time contest, so the atmosphere should be rocking inside Reliant Stadium.

Outcome: Loss

Week 7: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, October 21 at 1 p.m.

Ravens 2011 Record: 12-4

Analysis: This is a divisional-round playoff rematch that is emerging into quite a rivalry. The Baltimore Ravens and the Texans have met three times over the last two years, with each game turning into a defensive slugfest.

This matchup could be the best game of the season. The Texans are winless against the Ravens in six meetings. All of the games have been close.

Baltimore won a thrilling overtime contest, 34-28, in its last appearance at Reliant Stadium, as the Texans rallied from a 28-7 deficit.

Revenge is sweet; Houston finally gets the monkey off its back.

Outcome: Win

Week 8: Bye

Enjoy the week off. Go watch a movie. 

Week 9: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, November 4 at 1 p.m.

Bills 2011 Record: 6-10

Analysis: A very intriguing game, as DE Mario Williams will be making his first appearance back in Houston since leaving as a free agent. T

he Texans drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, and he went on to record 53 sacks in six seasons before signing with the Bills this offseason.

This contest will come down to if Texans OT Duane Brown can successfully keep Williams out of the backfield.

Outcome: Win

Week 11: Houston Texans at Chicago Bears

Where: Soldier Field

When: Sunday, November 11 at 8:20 p.m.

Bears 2011 Record: 8-8

Analysis: The Texans will be traveling to the Windy City for a prime-time game against the Chicago Bears. This is a big game that could have major implications on both teams' playoff positioning.

A key matchup could be which defense can corral the other team’s rushing attack. RBs Matt Forte and Arian Foster should get plenty of carries under the bright lights of Soldier Field.

Outcome: Win

Week 11: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, November 18 at 1 p.m.

Jaguars 2011 Record: 5-11

Analysis: A rematch of Week 2, and it could have some impact on the AFC South standings. The Jags could surprise some teams and become a sneaky contender for a playoff position.

Outcome: Win

Week 12: Houston Texans at Detroit Lions

Where: Ford Field

When: Thursday, November 22 at 12:30 p.m.

Lions 2011 Record: 10-6

Analysis: The Texans will be playing on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in team history, as they must face a high-powered Detroit Lion offense led by QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson.

I’m a little surprise that the NFL didn’t choose a more media-friendly contest against the Indianapolis Colts and QB Andrew Luck, the Lions' only other AFC home opponent.

This game figures to be a shootout between two of the top passing teams in the NFL.

Outcome: Win

Week 13: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

Where: LP Field

When: Sunday, December 2 at 1 p.m.

Titans 2011 Record: 9-7

Analysis: This matchup has the look and feel of a game that could be flexed into NBC’s Sunday Night Football package.

You can expect LP Field to be deafening, as the Titans fans will cheer their team on to a crucial division victory.

Outcome: Loss

Week 14: Houston Texans at New England Patriots

Where: Gillette Stadium

When: Monday, December 10 at 8:30 p.m.

Patriots 2011 Record: 13-3

Analysis: The Texans will be traveling to Foxborough and facing the defending AFC champs in a great measuring-stick game.

Both teams could be playing this game close to the vest, as they could be facing each other once again come January when it all counts.

The key to this game is getting consistent pressure on QB Tom Brady all game long. The Texans will be playing in their third consecutive road game and could be an exhausted football team.

Outcome: Loss

Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, December 16 at 1 p.m.

Colts 2011 Record: 2-14

Analysis: This will be Houston’s first look at QB Andrew Luck, but will he be on the field or in street clothes on the sidelines come game day?

It will be interesting to how much experience he has gained in his first professional season, but the outcome is a pretty easy choice.

Outcome: Win

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

Where: Reliant Stadium

When: Sunday, December 23 at 1 p.m.

Vikings 2011 Record: 3-13

Analysis: This contest has the classic look of a trap game for the Texans, as it is close to the holidays, which provides a lot of distractions.

Winning 12 games in a season could be the difference between starting the playoffs on the road or at home. This week is when a coaching staff earns its money, as it must keep the team focused on its goal and keep distractions away from the locker room and practice field.

Outcome: Win

Week 17: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium

When: Sunday, December 23 at 1 p.m.

Colts 2011 Record: 2-14

Analysis: The Texans must sweep the Colts in the season series, even though they have never won in Indianapolis (0-10).

To be considered a serious Super Bowl contender, they must have only one loss in divisional play.

Remember, Kubiak-led Texans teams are 5-1 in season finale games.

Outcome: Win