During July, the Sports Events Guide NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Houston Texans easiest games are the focus.
Houston Texans Easiest Games in 2016
9. Week 1 vs. Chicago Bears
J.J. Watt is expected to miss the first couple of weeks of the 2o16 season. If this does come to fruition, Houston’s game against Chicago during week 1 will be a very good test. This game is winnable if the Texans are able to put pressure on Jay Cutler. The defense would then have to capitalize on the mistakes made. Houston will also need to look to score early, giving Brock Osweiler the opportunity to take command.
10. Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Texans have generally faired well against division rival Tennessee Titans. The Titans finished 3-13 in 2015, making them last in the AFC South. The Titans have added more than a few household names to the offense this offseason. Tennessee was able to trade for running back DeMarco Murray. The Titans drafted running back Derrick Henry during this year’s draft. They also were able to sign free agent wide receiver Andre Johnson who is playing for his third AFC South team in as many years. The possibility of defensive phenomena J.J. Watt being out from off season surgery is a slight hampering on the outcome of this game. Look for the linebackers to fair well against the inexperienced offensive line of Tennessee.
11. Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
During this week 15 matchup, the Texans defense will be fully intact and looking to give Blake Bortles some trouble in Houston. The Texans will look to capitalize and overpower the Jaguars secondary, making good use of the abundance of wide receivers signed in the offseason. Houston has one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. That won’t change come week 15, where the Texans hope to be close to another AFC South division title and looking towards the playoffs.
12. Week 6 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Houston will have their hands full come week 6. J.J Watt is expected to be back from off season back surgery. NRG Stadium will be loud with cheers to defeat Andrew Luck and the Colts. The Colts have always proved to be a handful for Houston. The Texans will hope to change things in 2016. Look for the defense to get after Luck early, putting pressure on him. If the Texans are able to capitalize on mental mistakes by Luck, they could look to see this one marked in the “W” column.
13. Week 8 vs. Detroit Lions
Many questions were raised once Calvin Johnson decided to retire after his 2015 season. Matthew Stafford seemed to have a shrinking list of people to throw the ball to. Detroit sought to change that with the signing of veteran Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones this offseason. Along with Golden Tate, Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew, Stafford now has a plethora of targets this season. If the former Georgia Bulldog is able to find his stride early, this could prove troublesome for Houston, though the Texans should be able to pull this one out at home.
14. Week 5 vs. Minnesota Vikings
This is going to be a surprise pick based on where it falls in these rankings. In 2015, the Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North with a record of 11-5. When you match up the offense of the Vikings to the defense of the Texans, it’s hard not to see Houston winning this one. Outside of Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are lacking household names on the offensive side of the ball. If the middle linebackers and defensive line are able to stop the running game early, Houston should win this game.
15. Week 12 vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 12 will bring fans a matchup of Watt vs. Watt. J.J.’s younger brother Derek Watt plays fullback for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers went 4-12 in 2015 and finished last in the AFC West. An aging Philip Rivers always seems able to make magic happen will meet his match against a young and energetic defensive set. The Texans will look to lock down the Chargers receivers early while keeping an eye on the running game. Look for this to be a one-sided match up towards the end of the season.
16. Week 17 @ Tennessee Titans
This is the only away game that made the list of easiest games for the Texans in 2016. This is a game that Houston hopes to be an exclamation point to another division winning run. If the Texans are able to stay healthy throughout the season, it would be hard to root against them from repeating as AFC South Champions. Even though the game will be in Tennessee, look for Houston to be aggressive early and to be hungry for another AFC South title.
Make sure you also check out Houston’s most difficult games.
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