In my last article about the Texans, I talked about my predictions for the first four games of the Texans’ season. In today’s article, I will be looking at the next four games in their schedule and giving my prediction for those games. I will try my best to also include different acquisitions the opposing team has gained and how they may factor the outcome of the game.

Week 5- Texans vs Bills

Week 5 should present many narratives to go along with the actual game at hand. For starters, you have newly acquired Texans receiver Stefon Diggs facing his former team in the Bills. Throughout his tenure in Buffalo, Diggs always had question marks surrounding his cement in the team as seen with social media posts from Diggs, especially in the offseason. Past that, Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman will also be coming into town, a prospect that the Texans were rumored to have interest in before the acquisition of Stefon Diggs. This will game will also display if the Texans’ defense will be able to withstand a gunslinging quarterback like Josh Allen, and if they can’t, this may lead to future decisions on the team’s overall defensive scheme. Overall, though, I think the Texans should take this one, moving my record prediction to 5-0 on the season.

Week 6- Texans @ Patriots

Week 6 should be a breeze for the Texans as they face a rebuilding franchise in the New England Patriots. The Patriots, now well past their glory days, have already experienced multiple quarterbacks since Tom Brady’s departure, all with little to no success. To add on, the recent firing of legendary head coach Bill Belichick also shows the franchise’s ideas to move on from their strategic game plans that made them so successful in the 2000s and 2010s. If the Patriots decide to start rookie Drake Maye this game, the Texans should be able to feast because of Maye’s inexperience in professional football. With the additions of not many x factor players from the Patriots, it seems like they may struggle this season unless Maye puts up a C.J. Stroud type rookie season. I have the Texans also taking this one, putting them at 6-0.

Week 7- Texans @ Packers

If I were the schedule makers this season, I would’ve definitely made this a primetime game. The breakout seasons of both C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love last year really demonstrates the reason as to why this showcase of young talent should be under the bright lights. As with many other analysts, I love the way Jordan Love is able to play the game of football, whether it’s his Aaron Rodgers-esk throwing motion or the fact that he brought a team to the NFC Divisional round after not being projected to make the Playoffs. To add on, the addition of key players such as running back Josh Jacobs on the offensive side of the ball and Safety Xavier McKinney on the defensive side of the ball makes this game seem even more reasonable to put on primetime. Nevertheless, this game is where I have the Texans losing their first game this season, moving them to 6-1.

Week 8- Texans vs Colts

Week 8 brings up another AFC South rivalry from Week 1, in which the 2023 NFL Drafted quarterback’s C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson will once again face off. The difference between this game and Week 1 is that the Texans will be hosting the Colts instead of visiting them at Lucas Oil Stadium. Once again, facing the strong run game of the Colts led by Jonathan Taylor will be a test for the Texans defensive scheme. The 2021 rushing leader will show his bursts of speed when he sees a gap between the line, which will lead to the secondary needing to have the ability to wrap Taylor up to make a solid tackle. With this game being on 10/27, it is also only four days away from the Texans’ matchup with the Jets on Halloween primetime, which could lead to difficulties in fatigue in that game. Looking at this game, however, I feel as if the Texans should take this one, moving their record to 7-1 on the overall season.

Overall Conclusions

The first 8 weeks for the Texans look promising for success that could lead momentum into a possible Super Bowl run. If the Texans can start the season at 7-1, it would be hard to not see them in the Playoffs and make a reasonable run for the Super Bowl.