2013 Houston Texans Schedule: Game-by-Game Predictions, Info & Analysis

The 2013 NFL Schedule has been officially released for the Houston Texans as well as the rest of the NFL. Now we know not only who the Texans will play in the upcoming season, but when. Five prime-time games is an awfully big honor, but the Texans have the talent to make the most of the opportunity.

With that info in our hands, it's time for a game-by-game look at the Texans' 2013 season. Much can change between now and kickoff weekend, but this is how things might play out for Arian Foster and company if the season started today.

Last season, the Texans were eliminated by the New England Patriots in the second round of the playoffs after going 12-4 on the season. J.J. Watt made a ton of headlines, but the team struggled down the stretch—losing three of its last four regular-season games.

Do the Texans have what it takes to get over the hump in 2013?

Week 1: Houston Texans vs. San Diego Chargers

The Storyline: Will Philip Rivers find daylight? Or, will the Texans D just smother him from the first snap?

 

The Matchup

The Chargers are a much better overall team than their record indicated in 2012. However, with a vertically based offense and zero protection for the quarterback, it was nearly impossible for them to get rolling. It cost A.J. Smith and Norv Turner their jobs (and rightfully so). 2013 should be different with a more-balanced attack. If the Chargers can't protect their quarterback, however, the result will look much the same.

 

The Score: Texans 31, Chargers 21

Look for the Chargers defense to give the Texans more trouble than one would normally expect. This game will be closer than might be comfortable for much of the contest, but the Texans defense should be able to put it away in the fourth quarter.

Week 2: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: Strength on strength—who breaks?

 

The Matchup

 
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of any divisional rivalry because these squads match up so well. It isn't necessarily about the talent levels (Houston is obviously more talented) but because the Titans will try to run all day against one of the best rushing defenses to allow Jake Locker some semblance of relief from the Texans' pass rush.
 

The Score: Texans 20, Titans 13

This score isn't really indicative of how lopsided this game could be, but look for Chris Johnson to have a decent day as he picks his way through the Texans defense and the Titans to get one good score on defense or special teams. It'll be closer than they wanted, but the Texans will have this one in the bag.

Week 3: Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Storyline: An AFC Championship Game preview

 

The Matchup

This isn't the same exact Ravens team that won the Super Bowl. Sure Ray Lewis wasn't a huge impact on the field, but his character and his persona infected that team through and through. Honestly, however, this team might be better. With guys like Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Spears and Michael Huff on board, the Ravens should be able to stop offenses just as efficiently as they did in 2012—if not more.

 

The Score: Ravens 19, Texans 17

This game will have all the makings of a defensive slobberknocker. The Ravens get the nod at home and because of better coaching.

Week 4: Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: A rumble in the concrete jungle

 

The Matchup

This is one of those matchups that make fans, media...just about everybody salivate over the possibilities. The Texans defense is tailor-made to harass young quarterbacks, but Wilson has the kind of magic that can excel over and above the usual pocket pass-rushers. Will he be able to make throws with Watt chasing him down all day? Will the Texans be able to put up any points against the Seahawks' own vaunted defense?

 

The Score: Seahawks 13, Texans 12

The answer to both of those questions above will be no. The Texans will keep the Seahawks offense down, but their own offense will struggle as well. A bunch of field goals from Houston and a bunch of turnovers by both sides lead this to be a low scoring affair and a narrow Seahawks road victory.

Week 5: Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Storyline: To be the best, you have to beat the best

 

The Matchup

   

The 49ers don't really have much of a weakness to exploit and most of their strengths match up well with the Texans' strengths. The 49ers have a bunch of weapons that they can spread the Texans out, pound the rock up the middle and give the pass-rushers a lot to think about with a moving pocket. The Niners pass rush is almost as fearsome and is going to come loaded for bear against the Texans front.

 

The Score: 49ers 30, Texans 26

Many times, the games that look like defensive standoffs on their face can be some of the more entertaining and high scoring games. Great coaching and plenty of turnovers will have that effect! Jim Harbaugh gets the nod here at home as the Texans kick too many field goals to win it.

Week 6: St. Louis Rams vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: Jeff Fisher's coming "home" and bringing a talented young team with him.

 

The Matchup

So much virtual ink has been spilled about the great offseason that the Seahawks and 49ers have had, but the Rams have done much to keep pace, adding Jake Long and Jared Cook. With more protection and another weapon, Sam Bradford could do a bunch of damage if the Texans don't get to him early and often. The Rams defense—led by Fisher—has just enough firepower to make life uncomfortable for Schaub and the offense.

 

The Score: Texans 26, Rams 17

The first three quarters will be like heavyweight boxers trading blows, but the fourth quarter will belong to the home team.

Week 7: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Storyline: Mirror image?

 

The Matchup

For years, the Texans were a solid team overall that couldn't find a quarterback to save their life. When they brought in Matt Schaub, it was clear that he wasn't a super star, but he could win with the talent that Houston was going to put around him. Now, years down the road, the Chiefs are looking for similar production from Alex Smith.

 

The Score: Texans 28, Chiefs 13

There are a ton of parallels, but the Texans are further down the rebuilding road than the Chiefs will be in 2013. As Smith looks to gain chemistry and work on extending plays, the Texans are going to jump ahead and not look back.

Week 8: BYE WEEK

Record at the Bye: 4-3

This isn't the ideal record at the bye, but when you look at the teams they had to face—Baltimore, Seattle and San Francisco all in a row—one has to admit that things aren't going to be easy. If the Texans don't find their stride int the second half, the Colts could sneak up and win the division.

Week 9: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: We must protect this house!

 

The Matchup

 
Last year, the final stretch of the regular season featured a loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings because, frankly, the Vikings wanted it more. With their playoff hopes on the line, Adrian Peterson and company ran right down the Texans' throat and didn't look back. It is that kind of complacency that could doom the Texans in this divisional rivalry.

 

The Score: Texans 28, Colts 20

With hometown pride at stake and Arian Foster running through arm tackles like they're going out of style, it's the Texans in this one. I expect an early lead predicated by a big defensive touchdown followed by heavy doses of the Houston running attack. Luck will get close, but the Texans will slam the door.

Week 10: Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Storyline: Taking care of business...every way

 

The Matchup

 
Not only are the Texans a vastly superior team, they also match up well with the new-look Cardinals. Without an offensive line in front of Palmer, they're not going to have very much success getting down the field in Bruce Arians' scheme. Frankly, it's important to remember as well that Palmer is not Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger or Andrew Luck.

The Score: Texans 41, Cardinals 10

Predicting the huge blowout here as the Cardinals will fall apart on offense first and then the defense will crumble shortly thereafter. Turnover records could be broken...

Week 11: Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: New-look Raiders, Same old results

 

The Matchup

The Raiders have spent a ton of time, money and effort revamping their defense, but it's still a few years away from them truly fielding a competitive team in the NFL—that's with trusting Reggie McKenzie and hoping he gets the leash he needs. The overhaul is great for the long term, but it isn't going to matter in this one. Texans roll.

 

The Score: Texans 41, Raiders 13

The Raiders might have the one secondary that can be easily picked apart by Schaub and he's going to have a field day. As things snowball, look for Flynn to throw a couple of picks and be hounded by Watt and the rest of the pass-rushing crew.

Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: Finding the killer instinct

  

The Matchup

Last season, the Texans hosted the Jaguars and beat them 43-37 in overtime. First, how do you let the Jags score 37 points on you. Secondly, how do you let them take you to overtime? That game (along with a few others) were proof positive that the Texans weren't as good as their record. Yet they found ways to win, but winners don't let the dregs of the NFL hang around with them.

 

The Score: Texans 37, Jaguars 17

The Jaguars are rebuilding once again, and the Texans should be able to beat them with little-to-no effort at home. If the game is much closer than this, it'll be a huge concern for Matt Schaub and company. There's no one on the Jags roster who can match up with Andre Johnson and he should have a huge game.

Week 13: New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: The more things change...the more they stay the same.

 

The Matchup

The Patriots just match up well with the Texans. Their vertical offense is able to put up yardage before Watt gets to Tom Brady and there aren't enough pass-rushers to keep him confused. On the outside, the Pats tight ends are able to create plenty of mismatches and keep Wade Phillips guessing. On defense, the Patriots are improving to the point that the Texans can't assume they'll drive down the field on every possession.

 

The Score: Patriots 35, Texans 20

The Texans were embarrassed twice by the Patriots last season, so this could actually be viewed as progress. The Patriots lost Wes Welker this offseason, but aren't going anywhere. If the Texans could pull this game out at home, it would be a great sign for their playoff chances.

Week 14: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Storyline: Deja-vu all over again

 

The Matchup

Last year, the legend of J.J. Watt got rolling in a big way in the city of Jacksonville when he collected two pass deflections and a sack-and-a-half en route to a 27-7 victory against the Jaguars. The Jags don't have enough quality linemen to stop someone like Watt and stop the rest of Houston's pass-rushers.

 

The Score: Texans 35, Jacksonville 13

It's not wise to ever let the home team hang around very long, so look for the Texans to pour it on from the first moment against the lowly Jaguars. Through the air or on the ground, this is going to be an offensive clinic.

Week 15: Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Storyline: Who's tops in the AFC South?

 

The Matchup

The Colts defense won't be as much of a pushover this season and it's possible that the NFL might be surprised what a unit in the second year of "Chuckstrong" looks like. They've added a ton of talent in free agency, but this game is going to come down to J.J. Watt and how uncomfortable he can make Andrew Luck.

  

The Score: Colts 24, Texans 17

Going into Indianapolis and winning isn't as easy as it was a couple of years ago and this week will be no different. Foster will get going, and the Texans defense will keep the score close, but Luck dueling Matt Schaub at home will end up as advantage, Luck. 

Week 16: Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans

The Storyline: Who is the AFC's elite?

  

The Matchup

When these two titans of the gridiron meet, it's sure to be an instant classic. The Broncos are going to do everything in their power to protect Peyton Manning, spread the Texans out wide and beat them to death with intermediate throws. As for the Texans, they'll try to take advantage of the Broncos' weaknesses in the front seven and ride Arian Foster to victory.

 

The Score: Broncos 28, Texans 24

When it comes to duels, Manning is always going to come out on top. The Texans are going to try to jump out ahead early in order to maximize Foster's impact, but the Broncos pass rush will make life difficult for Matt Schaub and the rest of the passing unit. Expect the Broncos to go ahead with a defensive score and never look back.

Week 17: Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

The Storyline: Finishing strong
 

The Matchup

 
Last year, the Texans were 5-1 in the division and the AFC South isn't getting any easier. If they want to continue to sit atop the AFC, they need these kind of games against the Titans and the Jaguars to be cake walks. If not, they could slip behind the Colts and end up in the wild-card race before they know it.

 

The Score: Texans 33, Titans 17

A game like this could go a long way toward the Texans changing their stripes from a very good team into a very good team that knows how to put their opponents away. With Locker harassed and the Titans receivers shut down on the outside, it'll be a quick flight home for the Titans.

Final Predictions

Final Record: 10-6

For a team that, on paper, is one of the best in the entire NFL, this is a disappointment. But it's hard to find a much more difficult schedule than the one they've drawn. In this scenario, the Colts end up winning the division, but the Texans are a clear playoff team with a battle-tested roster.

Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff at The Go Route.

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