During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department has been analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL. We will be 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 of 2017
9. Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore isn’t as strong as they once were. They don’t have a reliable running back and no real threat at receiver. Let’s be honest, Joe Flacco is extremely overrated as well. The fact that this is a road game is the only reason it’s not higher on this list.
10. Week 9 vs Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are a division rival but not very strong on defense. Andrew Luck will likely have a big game each time these two meet but the Colts just won’t be able to stop Lamar Miller. Home field advantage will be a big factor in this game as well.
11. Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles won’t be able to get it done, especially against the Texans defense. Jacksonville will at least have home field advantage but still, that’s not a threat to the Texans in this game.
12. Week 5 vs Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City will be coming off of a Monday night game against the Redskins at home. With only six games to prepare, Houston has the upper hand as far as preparations go. The Chiefs lost their best defensive lineman in Dontari Poe and running back Jamaal Charles. Alex Smith just isn’t getting it done and Patrick Mahomes isn’t ready to take over just yet. This will also be the second home game in a row for the Texans.
13. Week 1 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes, the Jaguars are a division rival. Yes, the Jaguars defense looks really good on paper. No, Leonard Fournette will not be a factor his rookie season. Bortles is an absolute liability for the Jaguars and until they can find a reliable quarterback, they’re just not a threat.
14. Week 10 at Los Angeles Rams
It’s the Rams. Jared Goff will struggle against the Texans defense and Los Angeles won’t be able to stop Houston’s offense. Having the game at home is the only thing the Rams have going for them but this still should be a fairly easy game.
15. Week 6 vs Cleveland Browns
First of all, Cleveland had the best draft this year, no question about it. The Browns look like they’re ready to turn things over and start winning for a change. It’s not going to start in 2017, however, and if Brock Osweiler is their starting quarterback, Houston is going to destroy him.
16. Week 14 vs San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is just a work in progress and that’s putting it nicely. Since the departure of Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have just declined tremendously. They have questions at almost every single position on the team. They don’t have their quarterback yet and the offense isn’t a threat at all. This will be the easiest game for the Texans.
Be sure to check out the eight toughest games on the Houston Texans 2017 schedule.
