With the NFL releasing its schedule for the 2020-21 season its time to predict how the Texans will fare in the new season.

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 10, at Kansas City Chiefs

The Texans season will be tough from the start. They kick off the 2020 season against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. For this game the Texans simply don’t have what it takes to stop Patrick Mahomes and their high powered offense. The Texans will lose the game. 34-20 Chiefs

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Houston vs Baltimore Ravens

In week 2, the Texans host the Ravens, and Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.  Here the Texans will try to avoid a repeat of last years disaster in which they were blown out 41-7, but will come up short as they struggle to stop the Ravens vaunted rushing attack. 31-17 Ravens

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Texans 2nd road matchup of the season pits them against the Steelers in what should be a low scoring, physical game. Ben Roethlisberger is 38 and coming off an injury, I expect the Texans to pull this one out and get their 1st win of the season. 24-20 Texans

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, at Houston vs Minnesota Vikings

This game, appears to be the last test in the early part of the season. The Vikings bolster one of the top rosters in the league with great depth and talent on both sides of the ball. The Texans will fight hard, but will struggle to find traction offensively, with no Deandre Hopkins. 27-13 Vikings

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Houston vs Jacksonville Jaguars

For the first divisional game of the year, the Texans welcome the Jaguars to town. Following a 6-10 season a year ago, the Jaguars will struggle yet again. The Texans will get off on the right foot in division winning this one. 28-17

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tennessee Titans

A year ago the Titans snuck into the playoffs and rode Derrick Henry all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Despite all their postseason success last year, the Texans will win this matchup moving to 2-0 in the division. 20-13

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at Houston vs Green Bay Packers

This game marks the last test in a long line of difficult games in the 1st half of the season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads a high powered offense alongside Aaron Jones and Devante Adams. Those additional weapons’ will be the difference in this game as the Packers defeat the Texans. 35-23

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at Jacksonville Jaguars

Fresh off a bye, the Texans travel to Florida to take on the Jaguars for the 2nd time this season. This game will be more of the same as the previous meeting with the Texans winning as their offense starts to hit their stride. 34-20

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, at Cleveland Browns

As the Texans move into the back half of their schedule they hit the road to face what should be a much improved Browns team. Despite an underwhelming 6-10 season a year ago, the upgrades along the offensive line and a bright offensive mind in Head Coach Kevin Stefanski will be the difference  in this matchup . 33-31 Browns

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Houston vs New England Patriots

Last year, the Texans upset the Patriots and it was considered a major victory. This year the patriots are without Tom Brady. In this case no Brady means no competition. The Texans will win this one comfortably. 24-10

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26 At Detroit Lions

In this matchup the Texans get to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Lions. On the downside however, the Texans will be playing 4 days after playing the Patriots. That quick turnaround will make this game much closer than it would otherwise be, however the Texans will pull out a win on Thanksgiving. 27-24

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Houston vs Indianapolis Colts

In their first meeting of the season, the Colts will be rolling with Quarterback Phillip Rivers leading a complete team against a tired and worn out Texans team. This time the Colts get the better of the Texans as they win. 30-16

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Chicago Bears

Each season the Texans seem to lose a game near the end of the season that they have no business losing. This is that game. After a tough loss against the Colts in addition to traveling to a frigid climate in Chicago, the Texans offense will struggle against the Bears elite defense suffering back-to-back loses. 30-10

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Indianapolis Colts

Coming off back-to-back loses the Texans face the Colts in a pivotal game for their playoff hopes. The difference will come in the form of 2 Phillip Rivers interceptions that the Texans cash in on. This game should be a close grind-it-out type of game, with the Texans winning off a last minute field goal. 30-28

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, at Houston vs Cincinnati Bengals

As the end of the regular season nears, the Texans host the Bengals and number 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. Burrow despite being a high level prospect, will enter with an inferior team having played the likes of the Cowboys and Steelers prior to this game, they simply wont be able to hang with the Texans. 33-21

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Houston vs Tennessee Titans

In the final week of the season, the Texans have historically struggled. In this case the game is a do-or-die for the Texans playoff dreams. In times such as these it’s up to Deshaun Watson to make a play or 2 that is the difference in the game. Watson comes up clutch once again as the Texans win to seal a playoff spot and win the AFC South. 35-30

In the end, I predict the Texans will go 9-7 and make a playoff appearance after winning their division. While they aren’t yet Super Bowl contenders, it’s not unreasonable to think that they could win a playoff game or 2.