2023_Houston_Texans_season

2023 Houston Texans season

22nd season in franchise history

The 2023 season was the Houston Texans' 22nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first under head coach DeMeco Ryans. While the team went into the season with low expectations as a rebuilding period and started 0–2, they not only improved on their 3–13–1 record from last year with a Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,^[2] but the Texans qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2019 with a win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18, ending with a 10–7 record. After the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans the day after, the Texans also clinched the AFC South for the first time since 2019. The Texans became the fifth team in NFL history to make the playoffs with both a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach, as well as making history as the first team in NFL history to win a division entirely with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback.^[3]^{[nb 1]}

Quick Facts Houston Texans season, Owner ...

2023 Houston Texans season
Owner	Janice and D. Cal McNair
General manager	Nick Caserio
Head coach	DeMeco Ryans
Offensive coordinator	Bobby Slowik
Defensive coordinator	Matt Burke
Home field	NRG Stadium
Results
Record	10–7
Division place	1st AFC South
Playoff finish	Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Browns) 45–14 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Ravens) 10–34
Pro Bowlers	OT Laremy Tunsil DE Will Anderson Jr.^[1] QB C. J. Stroud
Uniform

← 2022 Texans seasons 2024 →

In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the Texans blew out the Cleveland Browns with a 45–14 win.^[4] The team’s season would officially come to an end when they would lose to the one-seed Baltimore Ravens 34–10 in the Divisional round, preventing them from making their first AFC Championship appearance in franchise history.

Offseason

On January 8, the Texans fired Lovie Smith after just one rebuilding season as the head coach with a record of 3–13–1.^[5] On January 31, the Texans hired San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and former player DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach.^[6]

Draft

Main article: 2023 NFL draft

More information Round, Selection ...

2023 Houston Texans Draft
Round	Selection	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	2	C. J. Stroud	QB	Ohio State
	3	Will Anderson Jr.	LB	Alabama	from Arizona^{[upper-alpha 1]}
	12	Traded to Arizona^{[upper-alpha 1]}			from Cleveland^{[upper-alpha 2]}
2	33	Traded to Arizona^{[upper-alpha 1]}
2	62	Juice Scruggs	C	Penn State	from Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 3]}
3	65	Traded to Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 3]}
	69	Tank Dell	WR	Houston	from LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 4]}
	73	Traded to LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 4]}			from Cleveland^{[upper-alpha 2]}
4	104	Traded to Las Vegas^{[upper-alpha 5]}
	105	Traded to Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 6]}			from Arizona^{[upper-alpha 1]}
	109	Dylan Horton	DE	TCU	from Las Vegas^{[upper-alpha 5]}
5	–	Selection forfeited^{[upper-alpha 7]}
	161	Traded to LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 4]}			from Dallas^{[upper-alpha 8]}
	167	Henry To'oTo'o	LB	Alabama	Compensatory pick; from LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 9]}
	174	Traded to LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 9]}			Compensatory pick; from Las Vegas^{[upper-alpha 5]}
6	179	Traded to Tampa Bay^{[upper-alpha 10]}
	188	Traded to Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 3]}			from New Orleans^{[upper-alpha 11]}
	191	Traded to Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 12]}			from Green Bay via LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 4]}
	201	Jarrett Patterson	C	Notre Dame	from Minnesota^{[upper-alpha 13]}
	203	Traded to Las Vegas^{[upper-alpha 5]}			from NY Giants^{[upper-alpha 14]}
	205	Xavier Hutchinson	WR	Iowa State	from Buffalo^{[upper-alpha 15]}
	207	Traded to NY Jets^{[upper-alpha 16]}			from San Francisco^{[upper-alpha 17]}
7	219	Traded to Minnesota^{[upper-alpha 13]}
	230	Traded to Buffalo^{[upper-alpha 3]}^{[upper-alpha 15]}			from NY Jets via Tampa Bay and Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 10]}^{[upper-alpha 12]}
	248	Brandon Hill	S	Pittsburgh	from Philadelphia^{[upper-alpha 12]}
	259	Traded to LA Rams^{[upper-alpha 9]}			Supplemental compensatory pick

Draft trades and notes

The Texans traded first- and second-round selections (12th and 33rd overall) and first- and third-round selections in 2024 to Arizona in exchange for first- and fourth-round selections (3rd and 105th overall)^[7]
The Texans traded QB Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round selection to Cleveland in exchange for first- and third-round selections (12th and 73rd overall), 2022 and 2024 first- and fourth-round selections, and a 2024 sixth-round selection.^[8]
The Texans traded third-, sixth-, and seventh-round selections (65th, 188th, and 230th overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for a second-round selection (62nd overall).^[9]
The Texans traded third- and fifth-round selections (73rd and 161st overall) to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections (69th and 191st overall).^[10]
The Texans traded fourth- and sixth-round selections (104th and 203rd overall) to Las Vegas in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round selections (109th and 174th overall).^[11]
The Texans traded a fourth-round selection (105th overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2024 third-round selection.^[11]
The Texans forfeited their fifth-round selection as punishment for a salary cap reporting violation.^[12]
The Texans traded WR Brandin Cooks to Dallas in exchange for a fifth-round selection (161st overall) and a 2024 sixth-round selection.^[13]
The Texans traded fifth- and seventh-round selections (174th and 259th overall) to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a fifth-round selection (167th overall).^[11]
The Texans traded a sixth-round selection (179th overall) to Tampa Bay in exchange for guard Shaq Mason and a seventh-round selection (230th overall).^[14]
The Texans traded CB Bradley Roby to New Orleans in exchange for a sixth-round selection (188th overall) and a 2022 third-round selection.^[15]
The Texans traded a sixth-round selection (191st overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for two seventh-round selections (230th and 248th overall).^[16]
The Texans traded DE Ross Blacklock and a seventh-round selection (219th overall) to Minnesota in exchange for a sixth-round selection (201st overall).^[17]
The Texans traded CB Keion Crossen to the New York Giants in exchange for a sixth-round selection (203rd overall).^[18]
The Texans traded a seventh-round selection (230th overall) and a 2024 sixth-round selection to Buffalo in exchange for a sixth-round selection (205th overall)^[19]
The Texans traded a sixth-round selection (207th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for linebacker Blake Cashman.^[20]
The Texans traded defensive end Charles Omenihu to San Francisco in exchange for a sixth-round selection (207th overall).^[21]

More information Name, Position ...

2023 Houston Texans undrafted free agents
Name	Position	College	Ref.
Jake Bates	K	Arkansas	^[22]
Tyler Beach	G/T	Wisconsin	^[23]
Joe Doyle	P	Memphis
Dylan Deatherage	T	Western Michigan
Ali Gaye	DE	LSU
Darius Joyner	S	Duke
Jesse Matthews	WR	San Diego State
Xazavian Valladay	RB	Arizona State
Jared Wayne	WR	Pittsburgh
Kilian Zierer	T	Auburn

Staff

**2023 Houston Texans staff**
	Front office Owner/senior chairwoman – Janice McNair CEO/chairman – Cal McNair President – Greg Grissom General manager – Nick Caserio Executive vice president/general counsel – Greg Kondritz Assistant director of player personnel and college scouting director – James Liipfert Assistant director of player personnel – Chris Blanco Director of football operations – Clay Hampton Director of Pro Scouting – Ronnie McGill Assistant director of pro scouting – D. J. Debick Director of team development – Dylan Thompson Head coaches Head coach – DeMeco Ryans Assistant head coach/running backs – Danny Barrett Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Bobby Slowik Quarterbacks – Jerrod Johnson Wide receivers/offensive passing game coordinator – Ben McDaniels Tight ends – Jake Moreland Offensive line – Chris Strausser Assistant offensive line – Cole Popovich Senior offensive assistant – Shane Day Senior offensive assistant – Bill Lazor Offensive assistant – Jarrod James Offensive assistant – Denarius McGhee Offensive quality control – Leander Wallace			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Matt Burke Defensive passing game coordinator – Cory Undlin Defensive line – Jacques Cesaire Assistant defensive line – Rod Wright Linebackers – Chris Kiffin Defensive backs – Dino Vasso Safeties – Stephen Adegoke Defensive assistant – Ben Bolling Defensive assistant – Ryan Milus Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Frank Ross Assistant special teams coordinator – Will Burnham Strength and conditioning Head strength and conditioning – Mike Eubanks Assistant strength and conditioning – Chris Cervantes Assistant strength and conditioning – Joe Distor Assistant strength and conditioning – Pat Moorer

Final roster

**2023 Houston Texans final roster**

	Quarterbacks 18 Case Keenum 10 Davis Mills 7 C. J. Stroud Running backs 47 Andrew Beck FB 33 Dare Ogunbowale 31 Dameon Pierce 26 Devin Singletary Wide receivers 12 Nico Collins 19 Xavier Hutchinson 8 John Metchie III 82 Steven Sims 2 Robert Woods Tight ends 9 Brevin Jordan 81 Eric Saubert 86 Dalton Schultz		Offensive linemen 64 Nick Broeker G 63 Michael Deiter C 60 Dieter Eiselen G 77 George Fant T 67 Charlie Heck T 74 Josh Jones T 69 Shaq Mason G 70 Juice Scruggs C 78 Laremy Tunsil T Defensive linemen 51 Will Anderson Jr. DE 95 Derek Barnett DE 96 Maliek Collins DT 94 Khalil Davis DT 52 Jonathan Greenard DE 93 Kurt Hinish DT 55 Jerry Hughes DE 98 Sheldon Rankins DT 41 Myjai Sanders DE 97 Teair Tart DT		Linebackers 53 Blake Cashman MLB 35 Jake Hansen OLB 48 Christian Harris OLB 43 Neville Hewitt OLB 6 Denzel Perryman OLB 39 Henry To'oTo'o MLB Defensive backs 0 Adrian Amos SS 17 Kris Boyd CB 20 Ka'dar Hollman CB 30 DeAndre Houston-Carson FS 22 Kareem Jackson SS 25 Desmond King CB 21 Steven Nelson CB 5 Jalen Pitre SS 37 D'Angelo Ross CB 24 Derek Stingley Jr. CB Special teams 15 Kaʻimi Fairbairn K 11 Cameron Johnston P 46 Jon Weeks LS		Reserve lists 25 Grayland Arnold SS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 85 Noah Brown WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 3 Tank Dell WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 50 Kendrick Green C (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 59 Kenyon Green G (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 34 Troy Hairston FB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 92 Dylan Horton DE (NF-Ill.Tooltip Non-football injury and illness) 71 Tytus Howard T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 41 Jesse Matthews WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 23 Eric Murray SS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 68 Jarrett Patterson C (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 54 Scott Quessenberry G (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 84 Teagan Quitoriano TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 91 Hassan Ridgeway DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) -- D. J. Scaife Jr. G (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 29 M. J. Stewart FS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 4 Tavierre Thomas CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 1 Jimmie Ward FS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 66 Kilian Zierer T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad 58 McTelvin Agim DT 14 Alex Bachman WR 16 Tim Boyle QB 27 Brady Breeze SS 87 Damiere Byrd WR 13 Chase Cota WR 90 Ali Gaye DE 44 Marcell Harris MLB 36 Brandon Hill FS 56 Kerry Hyder DE 88 Johnny Johnson III WR 40 Dalton Keene TE 79 Jimmy Morrissey C 75 Adedayo Odeleye DE (Int.) -- Troy Pride CB 38 J. J. Taylor RB 72 Jaylon Thomas G 89 Jared Wayne WR (Injured) Rookies in italics

Preseason

More information Week, Date ...

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	August 10	at New England Patriots	W 20–9	1–0	Gillette Stadium	Recap
2	August 19	Miami Dolphins	L 3–28	1–1	NRG Stadium	Recap
3	August 27	at New Orleans Saints	W 17–13	2–1	Caesars Superdome	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

More information Week, Date ...

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 10	at Baltimore Ravens	L 9–25	0–1	M&T Bank Stadium	Recap
2	September 17	Indianapolis Colts	L 20–31	0–2	NRG Stadium	Recap
3	September 24	at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 37–17	1–2	EverBank Stadium	Recap
4	October 1	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 30–6	2–2	NRG Stadium	Recap
5	October 8	at Atlanta Falcons	L 19–21	2–3	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Recap
6	October 15	New Orleans Saints	W 20–13	3–3	NRG Stadium	Recap
7	Bye
8	October 29	at Carolina Panthers	L 13–15	3–4	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
9	November 5	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 39–37	4–4	NRG Stadium	Recap
10	November 12	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–27	5–4	Paycor Stadium	Recap
11	November 19	Arizona Cardinals	W 21–16	6–4	NRG Stadium	Recap
12	November 26	Jacksonville Jaguars	L 21–24	6–5	NRG Stadium	Recap
13	December 3	Denver Broncos	W 22–17	7–5	NRG Stadium	Recap
14	December 10	at New York Jets	L 6–30	7–6	MetLife Stadium	Recap
15	December 17	at Tennessee Titans	W 19–16 (OT)	8–6	Nissan Stadium	Recap
16	December 24	Cleveland Browns	L 22–36	8–7	NRG Stadium	Recap
17	December 31	Tennessee Titans	W 26–3	9–7	NRG Stadium	Recap
18	January 6	at Indianapolis Colts	W 23–19	10–7	Lucas Oil Stadium	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	0	6	0	3	9
Ravens	7	0	15	3	25

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

BAL – J. K. Dobbins 4-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 1:00. Ravens 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:28.

Second quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 35-yard field goal, 3:56. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 8:54.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Ravens 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 1:54.

Third quarter

BAL – Justice Hill 2-yard run (Gus Edwards run), 9:55. Ravens 15–6. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:47.
BAL – Justice Hill 2-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 5:21. Ravens 22–6. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:14.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 36-yard field goal, 13:47. Ravens 22–9. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:39.
BAL – Justin Tucker 39-yard field goal, 4:10. Ravens 25–9. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 4:50.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 28/44, 242 yards
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 17/22, 169 yards, INT

Top rushers

HOU – Dameon Pierce – 11 rushes, 38 yards
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 6 rushes, 38 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Nico Collins – 6 receptions, 80 yards
BAL – Zay Flowers – 9 receptions, 78 yards

Week 1: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: September 10
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Overcast, 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 70,136
Referee: Tra Blake
TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala
Recap, Game Book

Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	14	14	3	0	31
Texans	7	3	0	10	20

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

IND – Anthony Richardson 18-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 10:44. Colts 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
IND – Anthony Richardson 15-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 9:13. Colts 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 15 yards, 0:05.
HOU – Nico Collins 8-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:14. Colts 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 5:59.

Second quarter

IND – Zack Moss 11-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 9:43. Colts 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:02.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 29-yard field goal, 4:25. Colts 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:18.
IND – Kylen Granson 4-yard pass from Gardner Minshew (Matt Gay kick), 0:10. Colts 28–10. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 4:15.

Third quarter

IND – Matt Gay 42-yard field goal, 5:50. Colts 31–10. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:18.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 36-yard field goal, 13:24. Colts 31–13. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 7:26.
HOU – Tank Dell 23-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 9:48. Colts 31–20. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:41.

Top passers

IND – Gardner Minshew – 19/23, 171 yards, TD
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 30/47, 384 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

IND – Zack Moss – 18 rushes, 88 yards, TD
HOU – Dameon Pierce – 15 rushes, 31 yards

Top receivers

IND – Michael Pittman Jr. – 8 receptions, 56 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 7 receptions, 146 yards, TD

Week 2: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: September 17
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,159
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
Recap, Game Book

Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	7	10	7	13	37
Jaguars	0	0	10	7	17

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Dameon Pierce 1-yard run (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 7:35. Texans 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:57.

Second quarter

HOU – Brevin Jordan 4-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 7:27. Texans 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 4:24.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Texans 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 1:04.

Third quarter

JAX – Tank Bigsby 1-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 11:17. Texans 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:43.
JAX – Brandon McManus 33-yard field goal, 4:35. Texans 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:44.
HOU – Andrew Beck 85-yard kickoff return (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 4:19. Texans 24–10.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 26-yard field goal, 12:36. Texans 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 4:44.
JAX – Christian Kirk 26-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Brandon McManus kick), 10:40. Texans 27–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:56.
HOU – Tank Dell 68-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 8:59. Texans 34–17. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:41.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 33-yard field goal, 2:10. Texans 37–17. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 4:35.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 20/30, 280 yards, 2 TD
JAX – Trevor Lawrence – 27/40, 279 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 9 rushes, 41 yards
JAX – Travis Etienne – 19 rushes, 88 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Tank Dell – 5 receptions, 145 yards, TD
JAX – Evan Engram – 7 receptions, 67 yards

Week 3: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

at EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Date: September 24
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C)
Game attendance: 61,466
Referee: Scott Novak
TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
Recap, Game Book

Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	6	0	6
Texans	10	6	0	14	30

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Nico Collins 2-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 8:55. Texans 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:05.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 36-yard field goal, 1:20. Texans 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 27 yards, 3:26.

Second quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 38-yard field goal, 12:09. Texans 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:43.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 39-yard field goal, 0:00. Texans 16–0. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 0:41.

Third quarter

PIT – Chris Boswell 35-yard field goal, 9:31. Texans 16–3. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:29.
PIT – Chris Boswell 23-yard field goal, 5:47. Texans 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:53.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Dalton Schultz 6-yard pass from Devin Singletary (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 10:50. Texans 23–6. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:20.
HOU – Nico Collins 52-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:39. Texans 30–6. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 6:24.

Top passers

PIT – Kenny Pickett – 15/23, 114 yards, INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 16/30, 306 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

PIT – Najee Harris – 14 rushes, 71 yards
HOU – Dameon Pierce – 24 rushes, 81 yards

Top receivers

PIT – Najee Harris – 1 reception, 32 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 7 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TD

Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: October 1
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,399
Referee: Bill Vinovich
TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Amanda Renner
Recap, Game Book

For the second straight week, the Texans had back-to-back upset victories, and improved to 2-2. Former defensive end J.J. Watt was inducted to the Houston Texans Ring of Honor during halftime. Coincidentally, his brother T.J was playing in this game, though for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	3	6	3	7	19
Falcons	7	0	0	14	21

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU — Kaʻimi Fairbairn 38-yard field goal, 10:38. Texans 3–0. Drive: 6 plays. 28 yards, 2:56.
ATL — Desmond Ridder 7-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 6:48. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:50.

Second quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 43-yard field goal, 14:10. Falcons 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:59.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 28-yard field goal, 0:03. Texans 9–7. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 1:42.

Third quarter

HOU — Kaʻimi Fairbairn 42-yard field goal, 9:35. Texans 12–7. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:19.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Bijan Robinson 6-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Desmond Ridder–Tyler Allgeier pass), 12:12. Falcons 15–12. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:41.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 33-yard field goal, 6:57. Falcons 18–12. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:15.
HOU – Dalton Schultz 18-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 1:49. Texans 19–18. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:08.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 21–19. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 1:49.

Top passers

HOU – C.J. Stroud – 20/35, 249 yards, TD
ATL – Desmond Ridder – 28/37, 329 yards, TD

Top rushers

HOU – Dameon Pierce – 20 rushes, 66 yards
ATL – Bijan Robinson – 14 rushes, 46 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Dalton Schultz – 7 receptions, 65 yards, TD
ATL – Kyle Pitts – 7 receptions, 87 yards

Week 5: Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: October 8
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 63 °F (17 °C) (retractable roof open)
Game attendance: 69,461
Referee: Shawn Hochuli
TV announcers (Fox): Brandon Gaudin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
Recap, Game Book

Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	7	3	3	0	13
Texans	7	10	3	0	20

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Dalton Schultz 1-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:41. Texans 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:15.
NO – Rashid Shaheed 34-yard pass from Derek Carr (Blake Grupe kick), 0:13. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:28.

Second quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 24-yard field goal, 10:28. Texans 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:45.
HOU – Robert Woods 6-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 2:56. Texans 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 6:11.
NO – Blake Grupe 48-yard field goal, 0:18. Texans 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 46 yards, 2:38.

Third quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 22-yard field goal, 7:01. Texans 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:09.
NO – Blake Grupe 45-yard field goal, 2:17. Texans 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 4:44.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Top passers

NO – Derek Carr – 32/50, 353 yards, TD, INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 13/27, 199 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

NO – Alvin Kamara – 19 rushes, 68 yards
HOU – Devin Singletary – 12 rushes, 58 yards

Top receivers

NO – Chris Olave – 7 receptions, 96 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 4 receptions, 80 yards

Week 6: New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: October 15
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,810
Referee: Alan Eck
TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
Recap, Game Book

With the win, the Texans improved to 3–3 and matched their win total from the previous season.

Week 8: at Carolina Panthers

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	0	7	6	0	13
Panthers	0	6	6	3	15

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

HOU – Andrew Beck 1-yard run (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 13:13. Texans 7–0. Drive: 17 plays, 92 yards, 9:20.
CAR – Tommy Tremble 1-yard pass from Bryce Young (kick failed), 1:35. Texans 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 3:18.

Third quarter

CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 46-yard field goal, 10:46. Panthers 9–7. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 4:14.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 37-yard field goal, 7:58. Panthers 12–7. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:57.
HOU – C. J. Stroud 1-yard run (pass failed), 0:35. Texans 13–12. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:23.

Fourth quarter

CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 15–13. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 6:17.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 16/24, 140 yards
CAR – Bryce Young – 22/31, 235 yards, TD

Top rushers

HOU – Dameon Pierce – 12 rushes, 46 yards
CAR – Chuba Hubbard – 15 rushes, 28 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Nico Collins – 4 receptions, 30 yards
CAR – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 72 yards

Week 8: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: October 29
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Clear, 76 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 71,505
Referee: John Hussey
TV announcers (Fox): Brandon Gaudin, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
Recap, Game Book

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	10	7	6	14	37
Texans	7	3	12	17	39

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

TB – Chase McLaughlin 35-yard field goal, 12:56. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:42.
HOU – Nico Collins 14-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 9:10. Texans 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:46.
TB – Cade Otton 3-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Chase McLaughlin kick), 2:13. Buccaneers 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:57.

Second quarter

TB – Rachaad White 1-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 9:05. Buccaneers 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:58.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 50-yard field goal, 5:17. Buccaneers 17–10. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 3:48.

Third quarter

TB – Chase McLaughlin 49-yard field goal, 12:38. Buccaneers 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:22.
HOU – Noah Brown 75-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (pass failed), 12:20. Buccaneers 20–16. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:18.
TB – Chase McLaughlin 55-yard field goal, 9:23. Buccaneers 23–16. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:57.
HOU – Tank Dell 29-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (pass failed), 5:59. Buccaneers 23–22. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:24.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Dalton Schultz 9-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (C. J. Stroud run), 14:11. Texans 30–23. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:26.
TB – Rachaad White 1-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 11:43. Tied 30–30. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:28.
HOU – Dare Ogunbowale 29-yard field goal, 8:45. Texans 33–30. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:58.
TB – Cade Otton 14-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Chase McLaughlin kick), 0:46. Buccaneers 37–33. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 3:41.
HOU – Tank Dell 15-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (run failed), 0:06. Texans 39–37. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 0:40.

Top passers

TB – Baker Mayfield – 20/29, 250 yards, 2 TD
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 30/42, 470 yards, 5 TD

Top rushers

TB – Rachaad White – 20 rushes, 73 yards, 2 TD
HOU – Devin Singletary – 13 rushes, 26 yards

Top receivers

TB – Mike Evans – 4 receptions, 87 yards
HOU – Noah Brown – 6 receptions, 157 yards, TD

Week 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: November 5
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 70,785
Referee: Land Clark
TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
Recap, Game Book

Placekicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn exited the game at halftime with a quad injury. Running back Dare Ogunbowale handled kickoffs for the Texans during the second half.^[24]

Quarterback C.J. Stroud sets the NFL single-game record for passing yards by a rookie with 470 passing yards, surpassing the record set by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.^[25] Despite the Buccaneers taking a 4-point lead with just 46 seconds left, CJ Stroud marched 75 yards down the field to score the game-winning touchdown.^[26]

Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	0	10	10	10	30
Bengals	7	0	10	10	27

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

CIN – Trenton Irwin 32-yard pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 9:43. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:17.

Second quarter

HOU – Tank Dell 6-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Matt Ammendola kick), 10:33. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:03.
HOU – Matt Ammendola 45-yard field goal, 0:10. Texans 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 2:30.

Third quarter

HOU – Matt Ammendola 22-yard field goal, 9:27. Texans 13–7. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 5:33.
HOU – Devin Singletary 6-yard run (Matt Ammendola kick), 7:08. Texans 20–7. Drive: 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:51.
CIN – Evan McPherson 50-yard field goal, 3:00. Texans 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 4:08.
CIN – Ja'Marr Chase 64-yard pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 0:10. Texans 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 73 yards, 1:23.

Fourth quarter

HOU – C. J. Stroud 8-yard run (Matt Ammendola kick), 12:47. Texans 27–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:23.
CIN – Joe Mixon 1-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 3:18. Texans 27–24. Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:15.
CIN – Evan McPherson 31-yard field goal, 1:33. Tied 27–27. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 0:37.
HOU – Matt Ammendola 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Texans 30–27. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 1:33.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 23/39, 356 yards, TD, INT
CIN – Joe Burrow – 27/40, 347 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 30 rushes, 150 yards, TD
CIN – Joe Mixon – 11 rushes, 46 yards, TD

Top receivers

HOU – Noah Brown – 7 receptions, 172 yards
CIN – Ja'Marr Chase – 5 receptions, 124 yards, TD

Week 10: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Date: November 12
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny, 56 °F (13 °C)
Game attendance: 66,526
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
Recap, Game Book

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	10	0	6	0	16
Texans	7	14	0	0	21

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

ARI – Rondale Moore 48-yard pass from Kyler Murray (Matt Prater kick), 13:28. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:32.
HOU – Dalton Schultz 20-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Matt Ammendola kick), 5:48. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 1:57.
ARI – Matt Prater 57-yard field goal, 1:21. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 4:27.

Second quarter

HOU – Devin Singletary 11-yard run (Matt Ammendola kick), 11:20. Texans 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:01.
HOU – Tank Dell 40-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Matt Ammendola kick), 0:26. Texans 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 1:49.

Third quarter

ARI – Kyler Murray 1-yard run (run failed), 2:52. Texans 21–16. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:23.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

Top passers

ARI – Kyler Murray – 20/30, 214 yards, TD, INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 27/37, 336 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

ARI – James Conner – 14 rushes, 62 yards
HOU – Devin Singletary – 22 rushes, 112 yards, TD

Top receivers

ARI – Greg Dortch – 6 receptions, 76 yards
HOU – Tank Dell – 8 receptions, 149 yards, TD

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: November 19
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 70,247
Referee: Alex Kemp
TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy, James Lofton, Jay Feely and Tiffany Blackmon
Recap, Game Book

Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	3	10	8	3	24
Texans	0	7	7	7	21

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

JAX – Brandon McManus 40-yard field goal, 5:54. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:54.

Second quarter

JAX – Trevor Lawrence 1-yard run (Brand McManus kick), 9:43. Jaguars 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:39.
HOU – Tank Dell 7-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Matt Ammendola kick), 6:37. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 3:06.
JAX – Brandon McManus 48-yard field goal, 2:24. Jaguars 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:13.

Third quarter

HOU – C. J. Stroud 1-yard run (Matt Ammendola kick), 8:10. Texans 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:39.
JAX – Calvin Ridley 1-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Trevor Lawrence–Calvin Ridley pass), 4:29. Jaguars 21–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:41.

Fourth quarter

JAX – Brandon McManus 53-yard field goal, 11:20. Jaguars 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 6:13.
HOU – Nico Collins 17-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Matt Ammendola kick), 5:15. Jaguars 24–21. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 1:50.

Top passers

JAX – Trevor Lawrence – 23/38, 364 yards, TD, INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 26/36, 304 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

JAX – Travis Etienne – 20 rushes, 56 yards
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 6 rushes, 47 yards, TD

Top receivers

JAX – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 89 yards, TD
HOU – Nico Collins – 7 receptions, 104 yards, TD

Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: November 26
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,324
Referee: Clay Martin
TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross
Recap, Game Book

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	3	7	7	17
Texans	10	3	3	6	22

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Matt Ammendola 29-yard field goal, 10:11. Texans 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:03.
HOU – Dameon Pierce 3-yard run (Matt Ammendola kick), 3:49. Texans 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:22.

Second quarter

HOU – Matt Ammendola 38-yard field goal, 12:54. Texans 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:12.
DEN – Wil Lutz 34-yard field goal, 1:24. Texans 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 5:09.

Third quarter

HOU – Matt Ammendola 38-yard field goal, 8:51. Texans 16–3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 4:02.
DEN – Courtland Sutton 45-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Wil Lutz kick), 4:47. Texans 16–10. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 1:20.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Nico Collins 3-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (pass failed), 14:16. Texans 22–10. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 1:43.
DEN – Russell Wilson 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:04. Texans 22–17. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

DEN – Russell Wilson – 15/26, 186 yards, TD, 3 INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 16/27, 274 yards, TD

Top rushers

DEN – Javonte Williams – 13 rushes, 46 yards
HOU – Dameon Pierce – 15 rushes, 41 yards, TD

Top receivers

DEN – Jerry Jeudy – 3 receptions, 51 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 9 receptions, 191 yards, TD

Week 13: Denver Broncos at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: December 3
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,670
Referee: Shawn Smith
TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
Recap, Game Book

Week 14: at New York Jets

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	0	0	6	0	6
Jets	0	0	14	16	30

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

No scoring plays.

Third quarter

NYJ – Randall Cobb 15-yard pass from Zach Wilson (Greg Zuerlein kick), 11:05. Jets 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:55.
NYJ – Xavier Gipson 9-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:31. Jets 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 5:02.
HOU – Devin Singletary 1-yard run (kick failed), 0:00. Jets 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 1:20.

Fourth quarter

NYJ – Breece Hall 3-yard pass from Zach Wilson (Greg Zuerlein kick), 9:27. Jets 21–6. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:33.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 51-yard field goal, 6:51. Jets 24–6. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:20.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 55-yard field goal, 4:30. Jets 27–6. Drive: 5 plays, 6 yards, 1:43.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 44-yard field goal, 1:08. Jets 30–6. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards, 2:10.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 10/23, 91 yards
NYJ – Zach Wilson – 27/36, 301 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 13 rushes, 65 yards, TD
NYJ – Breece Hall – 10 rushes, 40 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Brevin Jordan – 3 receptions, 35 yards
NYJ – Garrett Wilson – 9 receptions, 108 yards

Week 14: Houston Texans at New York Jets – Game summary

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Date: December 10
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Rain, 58 °F (14 °C)
Game attendance: 72,956
Referee: Brad Allen
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
Recap, Game Book

Week 15: at Tennessee Titans

More information Period, OT ...

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Texans	0	3	6	7	3	19
Titans	6	7	0	3	0	16

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Will Levis 1-yard run (kick failed), 7:09. Titans 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 5:46.

Second quarter

TEN – Elijah Molden 44-yard interception return (Nick Folk kick), 13:56. Titans 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:55.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Titans 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 5:38.

Third quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 27-yard field goal, 6:27. Titans 13–6. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:50.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 53-yard field goal, 2:42. Titans 13–9. Drive: 4 plays, 11 yards, 1:55.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 7:28. Titans 16–9. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 4:45.
HOU – Noah Brown 3-yard pass from Case Keenum (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 3:03. Tied 16–16. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 4:25.

Overtime

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Texans 19–16. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 1:43.

Top passers

HOU – Case Keenum – 23/36, 229 yards, TD, INT
TEN – Will Levis – 17/26, 199 yards, INT

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 26 rushes, 121 yards
TEN – Tyjae Spears – 9 rushes, 30 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Noah Brown – 8 receptions, 82 yards, TD
TEN – Treylon Burks – 3 receptions, 62 yards

Week 15: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Date: December 17
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Cloudy, 48 °F (9 °C)
Game attendance: 66,219
Referee: Clete Blakeman
TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala
Recap, Game Book

Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	7	15	6	8	36
Texans	0	7	0	15	22

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

CLE – Jerome Ford 4-yard run (Dustin Hopkins kick), 13:18. Browns 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 1:52.

Second quarter

CLE – Amari Cooper 75-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Dustin Hopkins kick), 12:04. Browns 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 90 yards, 1:32.
HOU – Dameon Pierce 98-yard kickoff return (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 11:51. Browns 14–7.
CLE – David Njoku 21-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Dorian Thompson-Robinson run), 4:16. Browns 22–7. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:51.

Third quarter

CLE – Amari Cooper 7-yard pass from Joe Flacco (run failed), 2:35. Browns 28–7. Drive: 18 plays, 94 yards, 9:39.

Fourth quarter

CLE – Kareem Hunt 1-yard run (Joe Flacco-Amari Cooper pass), 12:31. Browns 36–7. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:06.
HOU – Nico Collins 5-yard pass from Davis Mills (Davis Mills-Nico Collins pass), 6:08. Browns 36–15. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 1:58.
HOU – Andrew Beck 1-yard pass from Davis Mills (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 4:12. Browns 36–22. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 1:56.

Top passers

CLE – Joe Flacco – 27/42, 368 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
HOU – Davis Mills – 15/32, 149 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

CLE – Jerome Ford – 15 rushes, 25 yards, TD
HOU – Devin Singletary – 9 rushes, 44 yards

Top receivers

CLE – Amari Cooper – 11 receptions, 265 yards, 2 TD
HOU – Dalton Schultz – 8 receptions, 61 yards

Week 16: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: December 24
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 70,831
Referee: Tra Blake
TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
Recap, Game Book

Week 17: vs. Tennessee Titans

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	3	0	0	3
Texans	3	17	3	3	26

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 28-yard field goal, 7:17. Texans 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 6:47.

Second quarter

HOU – Brevin Jordan 12-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 10:10. Texans 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 94 yards, 7:30.
HOU – Sheldon Rankins 13-yard fumble return (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 10:02. Texans 17–0.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 38-yard field goal, 4:17. Texans 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:58.
TEN – Nick Folk 53-yard field goal, 0:00. Texans 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 1:11.

Third quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 27-yard field goal, 9:35. Texans 23–3. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 5:25.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 51-yard field goal, 5:33. Texans 26–3. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 2:03.

Top passers

TEN – Ryan Tannehill – 16/20, 168 yards
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 24/32, 213 yards, TD

Top rushers

TEN – Derrick Henry – 12 rushes, 42 yards
HOU – Devin Singletary – 16 rushes, 80 yards

Top receivers

TEN – DeAndre Hopkins – 7 receptions, 72 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 7 receptions, 80 yards

Week 17: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: December 31
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,517
Referee: Scott Novak
TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
Recap, Game Book

Week 18: at Indianapolis Colts

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	7	7	3	6	23
Colts	3	3	8	5	19

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

IND – Matt Gay 38-yard field goal, 9:15. Colts 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:45.
HOU – Nico Collins 75-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 9:06. Texans 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:09.

Second quarter

HOU – Andrew Beck 1-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 1:57. Texans 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:26.
IND – Matt Gay 52-yard field goal, 0:35. Texans 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 1:22.

Third quarter

IND – Jonathan Taylor 49-yard run (Gardner Minshew–Mo Alie-Cox pass), 9:56. Tied 14–14. Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 1:50.
HOU – Ka'imi Fairbairn 51-yard field goal, 3:39. Texans 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 20 yards, 1:58.

Fourth quarter

IND – Matt Gay 35-yard field goal, 13:33. Tied 17–17. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 5:06.
HOU – Devin Singletary 3-yard run (kick failed), 6:20. Texans 23–17. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 7:13.
IND – Cameron Johnston run out of end zone for a safety, 0:01. Texans 23–19.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 20/26, 264 yards, 2 TD
IND – Gardner Minshew – 13/24, 141 yards

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 24 rushes, 63 yards, TD
IND – Jonathan Taylor – 30 rushes, 188 yards, TD

Top receivers

HOU – Nico Collins – 9 receptions, 195 yards, TD
IND – Josh Downs – 3 receptions, 48 yards

Week 18: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Date: January 6
Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST/7:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 65,925
Referee: Bill Vinovich
TV announcers (ESPN/ABC/ESPN+): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters
Recap, Game Book

Down 6, the Colts drove the ball to the Houston 15 yard line before failing to convert on 4th and 1 with 1:06 remaining thus sealing the game for the Texans. With the win, the Texans clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2019 and finished the regular season with a record of 10–7. The 10 wins also broke the franchise record for most wins in a season by a first-year head coach. The following day, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans; as a result of the Jaguars' loss, the Texans won the AFC South.

Standings

Division

More information AFC South, W ...

AFC South
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
⁽⁴⁾ Houston Texans	10	7	0	.588	4–2	7–5	377	353	W2
Jacksonville Jaguars	9	8	0	.529	4–2	6–6	377	371	L1
Indianapolis Colts	9	8	0	.529	3–3	7–5	396	415	L1
Tennessee Titans	6	11	0	.353	1–5	4–8	305	367	W1

Conference

More information #, Team ...

AFC v t e
#	Team	Division	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	SOS	SOV	STK
Division leaders
1	Baltimore Ravens	North	13	4	0	.765	3–3	8–4	.543	.529	L1
2^{[lower-alpha 1]}^{[lower-alpha 2]}	Buffalo Bills	East	11	6	0	.647	4–2	7–5	.471	.471	W5
3^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Kansas City Chiefs	West	11	6	0	.647	4–2	9–3	.481	.428	W2
4	Houston Texans	South	10	7	0	.588	4–2	7–5	.474	.465	W2
Wild cards
5^{[lower-alpha 3]}	Cleveland Browns	North	11	6	0	.647	3–3	8–4	.536	.513	L1
6^{[lower-alpha 2]}^{[lower-alpha 3]}	Miami Dolphins	East	11	6	0	.647	4–2	7–5	.450	.358	L2
7	Pittsburgh Steelers	North	10	7	0	.588	5–1	7–5	.540	.571	W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8^{[lower-alpha 4]}	Cincinnati Bengals	North	9	8	0	.529	1–5	4–8	.574	.536	W1
9^{[lower-alpha 4]}^{[lower-alpha 5]}	Jacksonville Jaguars	South	9	8	0	.529	4–2	6–6	.533	.477	L1
10^{[lower-alpha 5]}	Indianapolis Colts	South	9	8	0	.529	3–3	7–5	.491	.444	L1
11^{[lower-alpha 6]}	Las Vegas Raiders	West	8	9	0	.471	4–2	6–6	.488	.426	W1
12^{[lower-alpha 6]}	Denver Broncos	West	8	9	0	.471	3–3	5–7	.488	.485	L1
13	New York Jets	East	7	10	0	.412	2–4	4–8	.502	.454	W1
14	Tennessee Titans	South	6	11	0	.353	1–5	4–8	.522	.422	W1
15	Los Angeles Chargers	West	5	12	0	.294	1–5	3–9	.529	.388	L5
16	New England Patriots	East	4	13	0	.235	2–4	4–8	.522	.529	L2
Tiebreakers^{[lower-alpha 7]}
Buffalo finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory. Buffalo finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head sweep. Cleveland finished ahead of Miami based on conference record. Cincinnati finished ahead of Jacksonville based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Indianapolis (see below). Jacksonville finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head sweep. Las Vegas finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head sweep. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

Schedule

More information Round, Date ...

Round	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
Wild Card	January 13	Cleveland Browns (5)	W 45–14	1–0	NRG Stadium	Recap
Divisional	January 20	at Baltimore Ravens (1)	L 10–34	1–1	M&T Bank Stadium	Recap

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Cleveland Browns

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	7	7	0	0	14
Texans	10	14	14	7	45

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 21-yard field goal, 5:29. Texans 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:54.
CLE – Kareem Hunt 1-yard run (Riley Patterson kick), 2:09. Browns 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:20.
HOU – Nico Collins 15-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 0:11. Texans 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:58.

Second quarter

CLE – Kareem Hunt 11-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Riley Patterson kick), 12:18. Browns 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:53.
HOU – Brevin Jordan 76-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 12:00. Texans 17–14. Drive: 1 play, 76 yards, 0:18.
HOU – Dalton Schultz 37-yard pass from C. J. Stroud (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 1:11. Texans 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:33.

Third quarter

HOU – Steven Nelson 82-yard interception return (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 6:05. Texans 31–14.
HOU – Christian Harris 36-yard interception return (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 4:06. Texans 38–14.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Devin Singletary 19-yard run (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 4:06. Texans 45–14. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 3:00.

Top passers

CLE – Joe Flacco – 34/46, 307 yards, TD, 2 INT
HOU – C. J. Stroud – 16/21, 274 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

CLE – Kareem Hunt – 8 rushes, 26 yards, TD
HOU – Devin Singletary – 13 rushes, 66 yards, TD

Top receivers

CLE – David Njoku – 7 receptions, 93 yards
HOU – Nico Collins – 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Cleveland Browns at (4) Houston Texans – Game summary

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: January 13, 2024
Game time: 3:35 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
Game attendance: 71,946
Referee: Clay Martin
TV announcers (NBC): Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge and Kathryn Tappen
Recap, Game Book

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Baltimore Ravens

More information Period, Total ...

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	3	7	0	0	10
Ravens	3	7	7	17	34

More information Game information ...

Game information

First quarter

BAL – Justin Tucker 53-yard field goal, 8:36. Ravens 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 5:55.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 50-yard field goal, 0:28. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 2:54.

Second quarter

BAL – Nelson Agholor 3-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick), 9:14. Ravens 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 6:14.
HOU – Steven Sims 67-yard punt return, 4:17. Tied 10–10.

Third quarter

BAL – Lamar Jackson 15-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 12:04. Ravens 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:56.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Isaiah Likely 15-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick), 14:23. Ravens 24–10. Drive: 12 plays, 93 yards, 7:03.
BAL – Lamar Jackson 8-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 6:20. Ravens 31–10. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 7:10.
BAL – Justin Tucker 43-yard field goal, 1:56. Ravens 34–10. Drive: 8 plays, 8 yards, 3:08.

Top passers

HOU – C. J. Stroud – 18/32, 165 yards
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 16/22, 152 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

HOU – Devin Singletary – 9 rushes, 22 yards
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 11 rushes, 100 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

HOU – Nico Collins – 4 receptions, 58 yards
BAL – Zay Flowers – 4 receptions, 41 yards

AFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) Houston Texans at (1) Baltimore Ravens – Game summary

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: January 20, 2024
Game time: 4:35 p.m. EST/3:35 p.m. CST
Game weather: Clear, 27 °F (−3 °C)
Game attendance: 71,018
Referee: John Hussey
TV announcers (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge
Recap, Game Book

Notes

[N 1]
The other teams to make the playoffs with a rookie QB and HC were:

Statistics

Team

More information Category, Total yards ...

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 32)
Passing offense	4,173	245.5	7th
Rushing offense	1,647	96.9	23rd
Total offense^[27]	5,820	342.4	12th
Passing defense	3,979	234.1	23rd
Rushing defense	1,643	96.6	6th
Total defense^[28]	5,622	330.7	14th

Individual

More information Category, Player ...

Category	Player	Total
Offense
Passing yards	C. J. Stroud	4,108
Passing touchdowns	C. J. Stroud	23
Rushing yards	Devin Singletary	898
Rushing touchdowns	Devin Singletary	4
Receiving yards	Nico Collins	1,297
Receiving touchdowns	Nico Collins	8
Defense
Tackles (Solo)	Christian Harris	65
Sacks	Jonathan Greenard	12.5
Interceptions	Derek Stingley Jr.	5

Source:^[29]

References

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[2]
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[3]
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[4]
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[22]
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[23]
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"C.J. Stroud sets rookie record with 470 yards in Texans' 39-37 comeback win". NBC Sports. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
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https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-texans-week-9-recap-postgame-report
[27]
"2023 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
[28]
"2023 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
[29]
"2023 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2024.

External links

Official website

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