One of Texans' 2025 games named among 10 best to watch this season
One of Texans' 2025 games named among 10 best to watch this season
The Houston Texans' 2025 regular season schedule won't be released until May 14, but we've known who they'll face for awhile. After securing a second AFC South division title, Houston will take on every other first-place team in the conference. The Texans will also play the entire NFC West, AFC West, AFC South and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A lot of those games will be fun to watch as the Texans plan to contend for a Super Bowl and defend their divisional crown, but NFL.com's Kevin Patra thinks one of their matchups will be among the 10 best to watch next fall.
Patra picked Houston's home showdown against the Denver Broncos as the No. 8 game to watch in 2025 because could mark a playoff spot for one roster. Houston might have an easier path to the postseason in 2025 because of the division, but a win for the Broncos could alter their pathway to a promising third season under Sean Payton.
"Perhaps I'm taking my personal preference to the next level by shoehorning in two teams I'm intrigued by entering the season. I love what the Broncos did this offseason, bolstering an already underrated defense and giving Sean Payton more toys to play with on offense," Prata wrote. "Second-round pick RJ Harvey should soar in Payton's scheme. I'm equally interested in how the changes in Houston pan out with a completely overhauled offensive line, two Iowa State Cyclone rookie receivers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel), and a new OC in Nick Caley. Will C.J. Stroud shake off the Year 2 doldrums? Styles make fights, and I can't wait to see DeMeco Ryans' physical defense take on Payton's dice-you-up offense."
Houston and Denver look to be rising teams in the AFC and are hopeful long-term forces in their respective divisions under competent quarterbacks. Bo Nix, who guided the Broncos to a 10-win season, might have a sophomore slump similar to C.J. Stroud. He could also reach new expectations and take over as a top-five quarterback in the conference.
Stroud's surge is essential for Houston to enter the conversation of a legitimate AFC powerhouse this fall. He's led a pair of double-digit win seasons, but there's a clear divide between where the Texans sit and the Bills or Ravens land. Should Stroud be more like his 2023 version in 2025, the pieces are in play for a 12-plus win campaign.
Both the Texans and Broncos should be vying for their respective divisional crowns and a high playoff seed. If it happens earlier, this will just be another blockbuster matchup between two NFL standouts.
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