The Houston Texans aren’t the young surprise anymore. Three seasons under DeMeco Ryans have produced three playoff appearances. In 2025, Houston started 0-3, recovered to finish 12-5, won a franchise-record 10 straight games and beat Pittsburgh 30-6 for the first road playoff victory in franchise history. The season finally ended against New England in the Divisional Round. That changes the conversation entering 2026. C.J. Stroud is no longer the rookie quarterback trying to turn Houston around. The defense has developed into one of the best units in football. The Texans have repeatedly shown they can reach January. The next step is obvious.
Can Houston finally get beyond the Divisional Round and seriously challenge for the AFC?That’s the football question we’ll follow throughout 2026. For fans, we’ll also keep track of every Texans TV channel and streaming option below.
Already looking for viewing help? Jump to how to watch the Texans from where you are
Houston’s Window Is Open. Now What?
The rebuild worked. That doesn’t mean the job is finished. Houston has made the playoffs in each of Ryans’ first three seasons, and the 2025 team may have provided the clearest evidence yet that the Texans can win in more than one way. They finished 12-5 despite an 0-3 start and closed the regular season on a nine-game winning streak. Their defense became the foundation of the team, while Houston protected the football well enough to finish with a franchise-record +17 turnover differential.
Then came January. The Texans went into Pittsburgh and won 30-6, advancing to the Divisional Round for the third consecutive season. New England stopped the run there with a 28-16 victory. That’s why 2026 feels different. Making the playoffs would still represent a successful NFL season, but Houston has reached the point where fans can reasonably want more. The Texans have a quarterback they’ve built around.
They have an elite defense. They have an established coaching staff. And the offseason showed that Houston isn’t standing still. The Texans traded for David Montgomery, added guard Wyatt Teller and retained several important veterans, including Danielle Hunter, Dalton Schultz, Ed Ingram and E.J. Speed. This isn’t really about whether Houston can become competitive anymore. The Texans already are. It’s about how far this version of the team can go.
Don’t Forget Why Houston Wins Games
C.J. Stroud gets plenty of attention. Houston’s defense deserves just as much. The Texans allowed an NFL-low 277.2 yards per game in 2025, setting a franchise record. They allowed only 17.4 points per game, tied for the best mark in franchise history. And those weren’t isolated numbers. Houston finished the regular season with:
- 47 sacks
- 29 takeaways
- 93.7 rushing yards allowed per game
- 183.5 passing yards allowed per game
The Texans also had five defensive Pro Bowl selections, while Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. earned First-Team All-Pro honors. The pass rush is particularly nasty. Danielle Hunter finished 2025 with 15 sacks, while Anderson added 12. Together they accounted for 27 sacks.
Behind them, Houston has playmakers capable of taking the football away. Calen Bullock, Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre each recorded four interceptions last season. That matters when evaluating Houston as a contender. The Texans don’t necessarily need Stroud to throw four touchdowns every Sunday. They’ve built a defense capable of winning games when the offense isn’t perfect. And if the offense takes another step? That’s when Houston becomes particularly dangerous.
What Is the Next Step for C.J. Stroud?
Stroud’s first three NFL seasons have already changed expectations around this franchise. But 2025 wasn’t simply a straight-line progression. Stroud finished the regular season with 3,041 passing yards, while Davis Mills added 915 during his time on the field. Nico Collins remained Houston’s leading receiver with 1,117 yards. Now Houston has continued adjusting the offense around its quarterback. One of the most interesting changes is in the backfield.
The Texans released Joe Mixon and then acquired David Montgomery from Detroit, giving Houston a veteran running back to pair with Woody Marks, who led the team with 703 rushing yards last season.
The offensive line has also received attention, including the addition of Wyatt Teller and more depth inside.
The goal should be straightforward: Don’t make Stroud do everything. Houston already has a defense capable of controlling games. If the Texans can protect their quarterback, establish the run and continue getting production from Collins and the receiving corps, Stroud doesn’t need to chase statistics. He needs to help Houston win the games that have ended its previous playoff runs.
Houston Texans 2026 Schedule & TV Guide
Houston’s 25th season includes four primetime games and a London matchup against Jacksonville. The Texans open with Buffalo and Cincinnati at home before beginning AFC South play in Indianapolis.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (CT) | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 13 | vs. Buffalo Bills | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | at Indianapolis Colts | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | vs. Dallas Cowboys | 12:00 PM | FOX |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | at Tennessee Titans | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 18 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — London | 8:30 AM | NFL Network |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | vs. New York Giants | 12:00 PM | FOX |
| 8 | — | BYE | — | — |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | at Los Angeles Chargers | 3:05 PM | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | at Cleveland Browns | 12:00 PM | FOX |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | 7:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:20 PM | NBC |
| 14 | Dec. 13 | at Washington Commanders | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | 12:00 PM | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 7:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 17 | Jan. 4 | at Green Bay Packers | 7:15 PM | ESPN |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Tennessee Titans | TBD | TBD |
All times above are Central. Week 18 details will be announced later, and eligible games can move under the NFL’s flexible scheduling rules. One game to plan for early is Week 6. Houston plays Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium at 8:30 a.m. CT, the Texans’ first international appearance since playing Jacksonville in London in 2019.
Where Are You Watching the Texans From?
How you should watch Houston depends heavily on where you are.
I’m Watching From Houston
For regular Sunday afternoon games, start with the local CBS or FOX broadcast listed above. National and streaming-exclusive games work differently. Houston has games scheduled on Prime Video, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network this season. Check the schedule before kickoff rather than assuming the Texans will be on the same service every week.
I’m a Texans Fan Living Somewhere Else in the U.S.
This is where regional coverage becomes important. CBS or FOX may be carrying the Texans nationally in the sense that the network owns the broadcast, but your local affiliate can still show another NFL game. For eligible Sunday afternoon games that aren’t available through your local CBS or FOX affiliate, NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary U.S. out-of-market option.
I’m Traveling Away From Home
This is a different problem. You may already have the correct streaming subscription but discover that the service or content you normally access has changed because you’re somewhere else. That’s when a VPN can be useful. A VPN changes the IP address associated with your connection and may help you access a streaming service you normally use while traveling.
I’m Outside the United States
NFL broadcasting rights vary by country. If you’re simply traveling internationally, you can also check whether your normal streaming service remains available. If location restrictions are preventing access, a VPN may help.
Can You Unblock a Texans Game With a VPN?
Sometimes—but it depends on what’s stopping you from watching.
That’s an important distinction.
Your streaming service is location-restricted
A VPN may help. Connecting to an appropriate server changes your IP location, which may help unblock access to a streaming service you normally use while traveling.
CBS or FOX is showing another game
That’s usually a regional broadcast issue. A VPN isn’t a replacement for NFL Sunday Ticket. Check whether the Texans game is an eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon game instead.
The Texans game is on Prime Video, ESPN or another exclusive service
You’ll need access to that service. A VPN doesn’t replace the subscription.
You’re seeing a blackout or “not available in your location” message
First determine why. “Blackout” is often used broadly by viewers, but regional NFL coverage, streaming exclusivity and location restrictions aren’t necessarily the same problem. Once you know what’s causing the restriction, it’s much easier to determine whether a VPN can actually help.
The VPN Setup We’d Use for Texans Games
If you’re traveling and location is preventing you from accessing your normal streaming setup, we recommend ExpressVPN.
The setup is quick:
- Connect to ExpressVPN. Choose an appropriate server for your streaming setup.
- Open your normal streaming service. Use the schedule above to make sure you’re opening the service that actually carries the game.
- Find the Texans broadcast. If your travel location was causing the restriction, the VPN may help unblock your normal service.
Affiliate Disclosure: VPNForSports may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
A VPN doesn’t provide access to CBS, FOX, Sunday Ticket, Prime Video or another paid service by itself. You’ll still need the appropriate subscription or provider.
Prediction Markets for Texans Fans
For Texans fans interested in sports markets, prediction markets provide another way to follow the NFL season.
Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket offer markets tied to football and other major sports. Depending on the platform and what’s currently offered, those can include questions surrounding individual games, season results, championships and other outcomes.
Rather than functioning exactly like a traditional sportsbook, prediction markets allow users to trade contracts based on whether a particular event will occur.
We have separate guides explaining how each platform works, current availability and how a VPN can fit into the picture for privacy or while traveling:
- Read our Kalshi VPN Guide
- Read our Polymarket VPN Guide
Availability can vary by platform and location, so always check the current rules and requirements before participating.
Texans Game-Day Questions, Answered Fast
Where is the Texans game on today?
Check the 2026 schedule above. Houston appears across CBS, FOX, NFL Network, Prime Video, NBC and ESPN this season.
Why am I getting another game on CBS or FOX?
You’re probably outside the regional broadcast area assigned the Texans matchup. Check whether the game is eligible for NFL Sunday Ticket.
What if I’m out of market?
NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary U.S. option for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games not carried by your local CBS or FOX station.
What if I’m traveling?
Check whether you can still access the streaming service you normally use. If your location is causing the restriction, a VPN may help unblock your usual service.
Is the Texans game blacked out?
Maybe—but don’t assume every unavailable game is a traditional blackout. Check the broadcaster, your regional CBS/FOX assignment and whether your streaming service is applying a location restriction.
How High Is Houston’s Ceiling?
Houston enters its 25th season in a very different place from where this franchise spent much of its history. The Texans have made the playoffs three consecutive times under DeMeco Ryans. They won 12 games last season. They produced the NFL’s best defense by yards allowed. They’ve got an established quarterback in C.J. Stroud, a 1,000-yard receiver in Nico Collins and a defense filled with Pro Bowl and All-Pro talent. But there’s one obstacle Houston still hasn’t cleared. The Divisional Round. That’s where each of the first three playoff runs under Ryans has ended.
At some point, a rising team becomes an established contender—and an established contender is judged by how far it goes in January. Houston looks increasingly close to that point. The question in 2026 isn’t whether the Texans have enough talent to matter. It’s whether this is finally the season they take the franchise somewhere it’s never been.
