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Predicting the Texans’ record: Randy McIlvoy, Nick Mantas & Aaron Wilson break down the season

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

HOUSTON – The Texans have qualified for the playoffs each of the past three seasons under the leadership of coach DeMeco Ryans.

They’ve won two AFC South division titles during that span, winning three wild-card playoff games and going 0-3 in the divisional round.

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And they’ve built a combined record of 32-19 in the regular season since Ryans was hired, including a 12-5 record last year. They won nine consecutive games after an 0-3 start last year.

Now, the Texans have high expectations again as a returning playoff squad.

Here are the KPRC 2 Sports staff predictions for the Texans’ regular season and how it might unfold:

Sports Director Randy McIlvoy predicts an 11-6 overall regular-season record with the following wins and losses:

Outcome Opponent Date

Win Buffalo Bills Sept. 13

Win Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 20

Loss at Indianapolis Colts Sept. 27

Win Dallas Cowboys Oct. 4

Win at Tennessee Titans Oct. 11

Loss at Jacksonville Jaguars Oct 18

Win New York Giants Oct. 25

Loss at Los Angeles Chargers Nov. 8

Win at Cleveland Browns Nov. 15

Win Indianapolis Colts Nov. 19

Win Baltimore Ravens Nov. 29

Win at Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 6

Loss at Washington Commanders Dec. 13

Win Jacksonville Jaguars Dec. 20

Loss at Philadelphia Eagles Dec. 24

Loss at Green Bay Packers Jan. 4

Win Tennessee Titans TBD

Houston Texans' 2026 schedule (KPRC 2)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, greets Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Sports Anchor/Reporter Nick Mantas predicts a 10-7 regular-season record with the following wins and losses:

Outcome Opponent Date

Win Buffalo Bills Sept. 13

Loss Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 20

Loss at Indianapolis Colts Sept. 27

Win Dallas Cowboys Oct. 4

Win at Tennessee Titans Oct. 11

Loss at Jacksonville Jaguars Oct 18

Win New York Giants Oct. 25

Loss at Los Angeles Chargers Nov. 8

Win at Cleveland Browns Nov. 15

Win Indianapolis Colts Nov. 19

Loss Baltimore Ravens Nov. 29

Win at Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 6

Loss at Washington Commanders Dec. 13

Win Jacksonville Jaguars Dec. 20

Loss at Philadelphia Eagles Dec. 24

Win at Green Bay Packers Jan. 4

Win Tennessee Titans TBD

Houston Texans' 2026 schedule (KPRC 2)
FILE - Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) walks on the field after an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Texans and NFL reporter Aaron Wilson predicts a 12-5 regular-season record with the following wins and losses:

Outcome Opponent Date

Win Buffalo Bills Sept. 13

Win Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 20

Loss at Indianapolis Colts Sept. 27

Win Dallas Cowboys Oct. 4

Win at Tennessee Titans Oct. 11

Loss at Jacksonville Jaguars Oct 18

Win New York Giants Oct. 25

Loss at Los Angeles Chargers Nov. 8

Win at Cleveland Browns Nov. 15

Win Indianapolis Colts Nov. 19

Loss Baltimore Ravens Nov. 29

Win at Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 6

Win at Washington Commanders Dec. 13

Win Jacksonville Jaguars Dec. 20

Loss at Philadelphia Eagles Dec. 24

Win at Green Bay Packers Jan. 4

Win Tennessee Titans TBD

Houston Texans' 2026 schedule (KPRC 2)
Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) celebrates with cornerback Tremon Smith (11), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) and linebacker E.J. Speed (45) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

Please drop your season predictions in the comments section below.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com