Texans 2025 NFL Schedule Released for C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon, Collins' Playoff Push

Having reached the divisional round in each of the past two years, the Houston Texans are hoping to take a step forward and join the AFC hierarchy in the 2025 season.

The 2024 campaign was viewed as a step back from the previous year. C.J. Stroud and the offense didn't look as crisp due in large part to the struggles along the offensive line that was revamped in the offseason.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans also brought in Nick Caley to replace Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator to get that unit back on track. The defense, led by Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr., looks loaded once again after ranking third in DVOA last season.

Analysis

Their 2025 schedule includes seven games against teams that made the playoffs last year (Chiefs, Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

The Texans will also square off against teams that made significant offseason upgrades that could put them in playoff contention. This group includes the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.

Even division rivals like the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars made big splashes in the draft that have them feeling optimistic. The Titans are betting on No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward as their franchise quarterback.

The Jaguars took a huge swing in the draft to trade up for Travis Hunter. This should make for a more interesting AFC South race than last year when no other team aside from the Texans finished with a winning record.

Pivotal Matchups

Beating teams outside of the AFC South will be key in showing where the Texans rank among the league's top teams. They went 5-1 against divisional opponents last season, but just 5-6 against everyone else.

The last two seasons for the Texans have ended on the road in playoff games against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston's schedule for this season includes road dates with the Bills and Chiefs. The Texans split their regular-season matchups with those teams in 2024, defeating the Bills in Houston and losing to Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.

Another key measuring stick game is a rematch of the AFC Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston dominated that game with a 32-12 victory, but this season's matchup will be played at SoFi Stadium.

How the Texans fare in these games against expected playoff opponents, particularly those that have become staples atop the AFC standings, will show how well the offseason changes to the offense worked out.