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]
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.
In the NFL Draft, the Texans selected quarterback C. J. Stroud from Ohio State second overall. Stroud would break several NFL and franchise rookie records on his way to being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, becoming the first player in franchise history to win the award.[5] After trading with the Arizona Cardinals, the Texans would select Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. third overall. Anderson was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, marking the fourth time in NFL history that teammates won the offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards.[6]
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.[7] On January 31, the Texans hired San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and former player DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach.[8]
Draft
Draft trades and notes
- ^ a b c d 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)[9]
- ^ a b 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.[10]
- ^ a b c d 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).[11]
- ^ a b c d 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).[12]
- ^ a b c d 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).[13]
- ^ The Texans traded a fourth-round selection (105th overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2024 third-round selection.[13]
- ^ The Texans forfeited their fifth-round selection as punishment for a salary cap reporting violation.[14]
- ^ The Texans traded WR Brandin Cooks to Dallas in exchange for a fifth-round selection (161st overall) and a 2024 sixth-round selection.[15]
- ^ a b c 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).[13]
- ^ a b 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).[16]
- ^ The Texans traded CB Bradley Roby to New Orleans in exchange for a sixth-round selection (188th overall) and a 2022 third-round selection.[17]
- ^ a b c The Texans traded a sixth-round selection (191st overall) to Philadelphia in exchange for two seventh-round selections (230th and 248th overall).[18]
- ^ a b The Texans traded DE Ross Blacklock and a seventh-round selection (219th overall) to Minnesota in exchange for a sixth-round selection (201st overall).[19]
- ^ The Texans traded CB Keion Crossen to the New York Giants in exchange for a sixth-round selection (203rd overall).[20]
- ^ a b 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)[21]
- ^ The Texans traded a sixth-round selection (207th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for linebacker Blake Cashman.[22]
- ^ The Texans traded defensive end Charles Omenihu to San Francisco in exchange for a sixth-round selection (207th overall).[23]
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars
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
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
Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints
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
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
Week 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans – Game summary
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
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.[27]
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.[28] 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.[29]
Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals
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
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans – Game summary
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
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
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
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
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
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
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
Conference
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Cleveland Browns
AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Baltimore Ravens
Notes
- ^ The other teams to make the playoffs with a rookie QB and HC were:
Statistics
Team
Individual
Source:[32]
References
- ^ "Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. Named to 2024 Pro Bowl Games". houstontexans.com. January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Stroud has 5 TDs and rookie-record 470 yards passing to lift Texans past Bucs 39-27". ESPN.com. November 5, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Sutelan, Edward (January 6, 2024). "Rookie QB-coach to make playoffs: Texans' DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud make history as fifth postseason team with rookie duo". The Sporting News. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ C.J. Stroud, Texans dominate Browns in wild-card rout, ABC13, January 13, 2024
- ^ Patra, Kevin (February 8, 2024). "Texans QB C.J. Stroud named AP 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year". NFL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (February 8, 2024). "Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. wins AP 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year". NFL.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (January 8, 2023). "Texnas fire head coach Lovie Smith after just one season". NFL.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (January 31, 2023). "Texans hire 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans as their next head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Root, Jess (April 28, 2023). "Cardinals trade No. 3 pick to Texans". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ "Browns trade for Texans QB Deshaun Watson in deal that includes three first-round picks". NFL.com. March 18, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Eagles trade 62nd pick to Texans for pick Nos. 65, 188 and 230 overall". USA Today EaglesWire. April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ "Rams trade down from No. 69 to 73 in deal with Texans". USA Today RamsWire. April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c Edmonds, Charlotte (April 29, 2023). "Tracking every trade made during the 2023 NFL Draft". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ "Texans forfeit 2023 fifth-round pick, fined 175K for salary cap reporting violation". NFL. March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Baca, Michael (March 19, 2023). "Cowboys acquiring WR Brandin Cooks in trade with Texans". NFL.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Scott (March 15, 2023). "Bucs Trade Shaq Mason to Texans". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints complete trade with Houston Texans for CB Bradley Roby". ESPN.com. September 9, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Eagles trade with Texans again; Houston returns to Round 7 with two picks". USA Today TexansWire. April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Charean (August 30, 2022). "Vikings acquire Ross Blacklock from Texans". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ Eisen, Michael (August 16, 2021). "Giants acquire DB Keion Crossen in trade with Texans". Giants.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Texans trade with Bills to take Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson No. 205 overall in Round 6 of 2023 NFL draft". USA Today TexansWire. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ Lange, Randy (March 18, 2022). "Jets Trade LB Blake Cashman to Texans for 2023 Sixth-Round Pick". New York Jets.
- ^ "49ers Announce a Series of Roster Moves ahead of Nov. 2 Trade Deadline". 49ers.com. November 2, 2021.
- ^ Lane, Mark (August 1, 2023). "Houston Texans Transactions (8-1-2023)". houstontexans.com. Houston Texans. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Lane, Mark (May 12, 2023). "Texans sign 9 undrafted free agents". Texans Wire. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ Lane, Mark (May 17, 2023). "Texans sign TE Jordan Murray, waive P Joe Doyle". Texans Wire. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Charean (November 5, 2023). "Texans will play second half without K Ka'imi Fairbairn". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "C.J. Stroud sets rookie record with 470 yards in Texans' 39-37 comeback win". NBC Sports. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Texans Top Bucs' Comeback, Deliver Loss in Houston".
- ^ "2023 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "2023 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
External links
