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2016 Houston Texans season

{{short description|15th season in franchise history}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL team season

| logo =

| team = Houston Texans

| year = 2016

| record = 9–7

| division_place = 1st AFC South

| coach = Bill O'Brien

| off_coach = George Godsey

| def_coach = Romeo Crennel

| owner = Bob McNair

| general manager = Rick Smith

| stadium = NRG Stadium

| playoffs = Won Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Raiders) 27–14
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Patriots) 16–34

| pro bowlers = DE Jadeveon Clowney

| AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list

|title = 3

|1 = EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (1st team)

|2 = LB Whitney Mercilus (2nd team)

|3 = LB Benardrick McKinney (2nd team)

}}

| uniform = File:Houston texans unif.png

| shortnavlink = Texans seasons

}}

The 2016 season was the Houston Texans' 15th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Bill O'Brien. The Texans' attempt to make history as the first team to play the Super Bowl on their home field, NRG Stadium, was thwarted in the second round of the 2016–17 NFL playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl LI champion New England Patriots.

The Texans finished 9–7 for the third season in a row and clinched the AFC South for the second season in a row, winning their fourth overall division title; the Texans finished tied with the Tennessee Titans, but won the tiebreaker based on record against division opponents. The 2016 season marked the first time in franchise history that the Texans swept the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite news|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-grind-out-key-road-victory-over-Colts-10789272.php|title=Texans grind out key road victory over Colts|access-date=January 1, 2017}} This marks the second time in team history that the Texans made the playoffs in back to back years, and the first since 2011–12. This was also the first time in their franchise history where their defense ranked number one in the league, despite losing their injured star defensive end J. J. Watt for most of the season, only allowing 20.5 points per game and only 301.3 yards per game.

The Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders 27–14 in the wild-card round and advanced to the divisional round for the first time since the 2012 season, but they lost to the New England Patriots 34–16.

{{TOC limit|3}}

Draft

{{main article|2016 NFL draft}}

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 2016

| teamname = Houston Texans

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 21

| player = Will Fuller

| position = WR

| college = Notre Dame

| notes = from Washington

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 50

| player = Nick Martin

| position = C

| college = Notre Dame

| notes = from Atlanta

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 85

| player = Braxton Miller

| position = WR

| college = Ohio State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 119

| player = Tyler Ervin

| position = RB

| college = San Jose State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 159

| player = K. J. Dillon

| position = S

| college = West Virginia

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 166

| player = D. J. Reader

| position = DT

| college = Clemson

| notes = from New England

| maderoster = yes

| hof =

| probowl =

}}

{{NFL team draft end}}

Notes

  • The Texans traded their sixth-round selection and wide receiver Keshawn Martin to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots' fifth-round selection.
  • The Texans made multiple trades within the seventh round:
  • Acquiring a conditional seventh-round selection in a trade that sent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets; this selection was upgraded to a sixth-rounder after Fitzpatrick played more than 70% of the Jets snaps in {{nfly|2015}};{{cite web |title=Jets must send sixth-rounder based on Ryan Fitzpatrick's time played |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14387654/new-york-jets-send-sixth-round-pick-houston-texans-qb-ryan-fitzpatrick |work=ESPN.com |date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=March 12, 2016}}
  • Acquiring an additional seventh-round selection in a trade that sent quarterback Case Keenum to the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams);
  • Trading a seventh-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for offensive tackle Chris Clark;
  • Trading a seventh-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Ryan Mallett.
  • Exact numbers of the selections from rounds 4–7 were determined when compensatory selections were awarded on March 11.{{cite web |title=NFL awards 33 compensatory picks to 13 teams for 2016 draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-awards-33-compensatory-picks-to-13-teams-for-2016-draft-0ap3000000643671 |work=NFL.com |date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=March 12, 2016}}

Staff

{{NFL final staff

|Year=2016

|TeamName=Houston Texans

|Front Office=

  • Founder/chairman/CEO – Bob McNair
  • Vice chairman – D. Cal McNair
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Rick Smith
  • President – Jamey Rootes
  • Vice president of football administration – Chris Olsen
  • Vice president of football operations – Doug West
  • Director of player personnel – Brian Gaine
  • Director of college scouting – Jon Carr
  • Director of football research – Jim Bernhardt
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Larry Wright

|Head Coaches=

|Offensive Coaches=

|Defensive Coaches=

|Special Teams Coaches=

|Strength and Conditioning=

}}

Final roster

{{NFL final roster

|Year=2016

|TeamName=Houston Texans

|Active=53

|Inactive=15

|PS=10

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer| 3|Tom Savage|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|17|Brock Osweiler}}

{{NFLplayer| 5|Brandon Weeden}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|28|Alfred Blue}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Tyler Ervin|rookie=y|RS}}

{{NFLplayer|41|Jonathan Grimes}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Akeem Hunt}}

{{NFLplayer|26|Lamar Miller}}

{{NFLplayer|45|Jay Prosch|FB}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|15|Will Fuller|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|10|DeAndre Hopkins}}

{{NFLplayer|12|Keith Mumphery}}

{{NFLplayer|82|Wendall Williams|rookie=y}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|89|Stephen Anderson|d=American football|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|87|C. J. Fiedorowicz}}

{{NFLplayer|84|Ryan Griffin|d=tight end}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|78|Oday Aboushi|G}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Jeff Allen|d=offensive lineman|G}}

{{NFLplayer|68|Tony Bergstrom|C}}

{{NFLplayer|76|Duane Brown|T}}

{{NFLplayer|74|Chris Clark|d=American football|T}}

{{NFLplayer|63|Kendall Lamm|T}}

{{NFLplayer|65|Greg Mancz|C}}

{{NFLplayer|71|Xavier Suʻa-Filo|G}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Josh Walker|d=American football|G}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|95|Christian Covington|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|90|Jadeveon Clowney|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|93|Joel Heath|DE|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|97|Ufomba Kamalu|DE|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|98|D. J. Reader|NT|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|94|Antonio Smith|d=defensive end|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Vince Wilfork|NT}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|53|Max Bullough|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|56|Brian Cushing|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|50|Akeem Dent|OLB|}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Benardrick McKinney|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|59|Whitney Mercilus|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|52|Brian Peters|d=gridiron football|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|57|Brennan Scarlett|OLB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|51|John Simon|d=linebacker|OLB}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|21|A. J. Bouye|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Quintin Demps|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Andre Hal|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|25|Kareem Jackson|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Don Jones|d=safety|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Johnathan Joseph|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|43|Corey Moore|d=safety|FS/SS}}

{{NFLplayer|32|Robert Nelson|d=defensive back|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Eddie Pleasant|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|22|Denzel Rice|CB}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer| 8|Nick Novak|K}}

{{NFLplayer| 9|Shane Lechler|P}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Jon Weeks|LS}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|39|Lonnie Ballentine|FS|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|36|K. J. Dillon|SS|rookie=y|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Kurtis Drummond|SS|IR}}

{{NFLplayer| 7|Kaʻimi Fairbairn|K|rookie=y|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|30|Kevin Johnson|d=cornerback|CB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|66|Nick Martin|d=center|rookie=y|C|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|13|Braxton Miller|rookie=y|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|72|Derek Newton|T|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|77|David Quessenberry|T|NF-Ill.}}

{{NFLplayer|48|Gerald Rivers|OLB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|91|Devon Still|DE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|11|Jaelen Strong|WR|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Tony Washington|d=linebacker|OLB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|99|J. J. Watt|DE|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

{{NFLplayer|70|Jeff Adams|d=American football|T}}

{{NFLplayer|88|RaShaun Allen|TE}}

{{NFLplayer|14|Quenton Bundrage|WR|rookie=y|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|92|Brandon Dunn|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Laurence Gibson|T}}

{{NFLplayer|38|Kenny Hilliard|RB}}

{{NFLplayer|85|Tevin Jones|WR|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|47|Eric Lee|d=American football|OLB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|96|Dan Pettinato|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|42|Shakeel Rashad|ILB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|62|Chad Slade|d=American football|G}}

}}

Schedule

=Preseason=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! 1

| August 14

| at San Francisco 49ers

| W 24–13

| 1–0

| Levi's Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016081451/2016/PRE1/texans@49ers Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| {{dow tooltip|August 20, 2016}}

| New Orleans Saints

| W 16–9

| 2–0

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016082054/2016/PRE2/saints@texans Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 3

| August 28

| Arizona Cardinals

| W 34–24

| 3–0

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016082852/2016/PRE3/cardinals@texans Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| {{dow tooltip|September 1, 2016}}

| at Dallas Cowboys

| W 28–17

| 4–0

| AT&T Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016090163/2016/PRE4/texans@cowboys Recap]

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! 1

| September 11

| Chicago Bears

| W 23–14

| 1–0

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016091102/2016/REG1/bears@texans Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| September 18

| Kansas City Chiefs

| W 19–12

| 2–0

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016091803/2016/REG2/chiefs@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| {{dow tooltip|September 22, 2016}}

| at New England Patriots

| L 0–27

| 2–1

| Gillette Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016092200/2016/REG3/texans@patriots Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| October 2

| Tennessee Titans

| W 27–20

| 3–1

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016100204/2016/REG4/titans@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 5

| October 9

| at Minnesota Vikings

| L 13–31

| 3–2

| U.S. Bank Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016100905/2016/REG5/texans@vikings Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 6

| October 16

| Indianapolis Colts

| W 26–23 {{small|(OT)}}

| 4–2

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016101612/2016/REG6/colts@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 7

| {{dow tooltip|October 24, 2016}}

| at Denver Broncos

| L 9–27

| 4–3

| Sports Authority Field at Mile High

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016102400/2016/REG7/texans@broncos Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 8

| October 30

| Detroit Lions

| W 20–13

| 5–3

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016103004/2016/REG8/lions@texans Recap]

9

| colspan="6" |Bye

style="background:#cfc"

! 10

| November 13

| at Jacksonville Jaguars

| W 24–21

| 6–3

| EverBank Field

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016111302/2016/REG10/texans@jaguars Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 11

| November 21

| at Oakland Raiders

| L 20–27

| 6–4

| {{flagicon|Mexico}} Estadio Azteca {{small|(Mexico City)}}

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016112100/2016/REG11/texans@raiders Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 12

| November 27

| San Diego Chargers

| L 13–21

| 6–5

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016112705/2016/REG12/chargers@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 13

| December 4

| at Green Bay Packers

| L 13–21

| 6–6

| Lambeau Field

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016120404/2016/REG13/texans@packers Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 14

| December 11

| at Indianapolis Colts

| W 22–17

| 7–6

| Lucas Oil Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016121104/2016/REG14/texans@colts Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 15

| December 18

| Jacksonville Jaguars

| W 21–20

| 8–6

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016121804/2016/REG15/jaguars@texans Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 16

| {{dow tooltip|December 24, 2016}}

| Cincinnati Bengals

| W 12–10

| 9–6

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016122411/2016/REG16/bengals@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc

! 17

| January 1

| at Tennessee Titans

| L 17–24

| 9–7

| Nissan Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017010110/2016/REG17/texans@titans Recap]

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

=Postseason=

{{see also|2016–17 NFL playoffs}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Round

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Opponent (seed)

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#cfc"

! Wild Card

| {{dow tooltip|January 7, 2017|df=F j, Y}}

| Oakland Raiders (5)

| W 27–14

| 1–0

| NRG Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017010700/2016/POST18/raiders@texans Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! Divisional

| {{dow tooltip|January 14, 2017|df=F j, Y}}

| at New England Patriots (1)

| L 16–34

| 1–1

| Gillette Stadium

| [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017011401/2016/POST19/texans@patriots Recap]

Game summaries

=Regular season=

==Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week One: Chicago Bears at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=September 11

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Bears

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=3|H4=10

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,933

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium, roof closed)

|referee=Pete Morelli

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Peter Schrager

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016091102/2016/REG1/bears@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56904/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, 11:25. Bears 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 59 yards, 6:19.
  • HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 23-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 3:14. Texans 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:49.
  • CHI – Eddie Royal 19-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Connor Barth kick), 0:07. Bears 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:31.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, 12:17. Bears 14–13. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 1:50.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Will Fuller 18-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 12:44. Texans 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:52.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 38-yard field goal, 6:10. Texans 23–14. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:51.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

Brock Osweiler started his first regular season game for the Texans at home against the Chicago Bears. Houston received the ball first and made it all the way to the Chicago 34 before an Osweiler pass was intercepted by Tracy Porter. The Bears capitalized on the turnover with a 1-yard run from Jeremy Langford. In the 2nd quarter, Jay Cutler fumbled the ball on 4th and 1 at the Houston 31. Cutler recovered the fumble but the drive was turned over on downs. Houston scored on the following drive with a 28-yard field goal from Nick Novak. Following a slow offensive start in the first half, Houston trailed Chicago 10–14 at halftime. Momentum shifted in the 2nd half in favor of the Texans, outscoring the Bears 13–0. With the win, Houston improved to 4–0 all time against Chicago.

==Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Two: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=September 18

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Chiefs

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=9

|home=Texans

|H1=7|H2=6|H3=0|H4=6

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,890

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium, roof closed)

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016091803/2016/REG2/chiefs@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56921/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KC – Cairo Santos 53-yard field goal, 14:55. Texans 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, −2 yards, 1:17.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 32-yard field goal, 4:16. Texans 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 69 yards, 6:43.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 24-yard field goal, 1:21. Texans 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 0:19.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Cairo Santos 43-yard field goal, 14:56. Texans 13–6. Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:50.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 31-yard field goal, 9:34. Texans 16–6. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:22.
  • KC – Cairo Santos 35-yard field goal, 7:34. Texans 16–9. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:00.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 43-yard field goal, 2:56. Texans 19–9. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 4:38.
  • KC – Cairo Santos 30-yard field goal, 0:49. Texans 19–12. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 2:07.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Texans stayed at home for week 2 where they hosted the Kansas City Chiefs, going 0–2 against the Chiefs the previous season, including a 30–0 shutout loss in the wild-card round. Houston's defense managed Kansas City's offense, holding the Chiefs to only 4 Cairo Santos field goals. The only touchdown of the game came on a 27-yard pass from Brock Osweiler to DeAndre Hopkins in the 1st quarter.

==Week 3: at New England Patriots==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Three: Houston Texans at New England Patriots – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|September 22|Thursday}}

|time=8:25 p.m. EDT/7:25 p.m. CDT

|road=Texans

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Patriots

|H1=10|H2=0|H3=10|H4=7

|stadium=Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

|attendance=66,829

|weather={{convert|68|F|C}}, clear

|referee=Walt Coleman

|TV=CBS/NFLN/Twitter

|TVAnnouncers=Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016092200/2016/REG3/texans@patriots Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56933/NE_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 24-yard field goal, 2:07. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 4:52.
  • NE – Jacoby Brissett 27-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:54. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 1 play, 22 yards, 0:07.

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays

Third quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 25-yard field goal, 8:19. Patriots 13–0. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 6:41.
  • NE – LeGarrette Blount 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 5:41. Patriots 20–0. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:31.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – LeGarrette Blount 41-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 11:00. Patriots 27–7. Drive: 2 plays, 47 yards, 0:40.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Houston Texans fell to the New England Patriots 27–0, dropping to 2–1 for the season. Problems started early for the Texans as Charles James fumbled a kick return that was recovered by Duron Harmon at the Houston 22. The fumble lead to a Jacoby Brissett 27-yard run to extended New England's lead to 10–0 following Stephen Gostkowski's kick late in the first quarter. On the Texans' next possession, a Brock Osweiler pass was intercepted by Jamie Collins. The Patriots gained the ball to start the second half and settled for a 25-yard Gostkowski field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Tyler Ervin fumbled the ball with Jordan Richards recovering it. Like before, the fumble resulted in a New England touchdown with a 1-yard LeGarrette Blount run. The loss was Houston's first shutout loss since December 7, 2003, where the Texans fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars also by a score of 27–0. It was also head coach Bill O'Brien's first return to New England in 5 years, where he served as an offensive assistant in their undefeated regular season of 2007, as wide receivers coach in 2008, quarterbacks coach from 2009–10, and as offensive coordinator in 2011. O'Brien was also part of two AFC-winning Patriots teams in 2007 and 2011, losing the Super Bowl to the Eli Manning-led New York Giants on both occasions.

Days after the game, defensive end J. J. Watt underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disk. Watt missed the remainder of the 2016 season due to the surgery.{{cite news|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|last=McClain|first=John|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-J-J-Watt-has-back-surgery-will-miss-9471995.php|title=Texans' J. J. Watt has back surgery, will miss remainder of season|date=September 30, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2016}} Former Texan Antonio Smith was signed to the team to replace Watt for the season.{{cite news|newspaper=Houston Business Journal|last=Witthaus|first=Jack|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2016/09/29/antonio-smith-returns-to-the-texans-to-fill-j-j.html|title=Houston Texans sign Antonio Smith to help defensive line after J. J. Watt's back injury|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2016}}

==Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Four: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=October 2

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Titans

|R1=3|R2=14|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Texans

|H1=14|H2=6|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,054

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium, roof closed)

|referee=Clete Blakeman

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016100204/2016/REG4/titans@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56954/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • HOU – C. J. Fiedorowicz 14-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 10:31. Texans 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.
  • HOU – Will Fuller 5-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 5:38. Texans 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:47.
  • TEN – Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal, 2:40. Texans 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:58.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 53-yard field goal, 13:47. Texans 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 3:54.
  • TEN – DeMarco Murray 2-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 11:26. Texans 17–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:21.
  • TEN – DeMarco Murray 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 2:28. Tied 17–17. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:16.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 45-yard field goal, 0:11. Texans 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards, 0:39.

Third quarter

  • TEN – Ryan Succop 26-yard field goal, 7:04. Tied 20–20. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 7:56.
  • HOU – Will Fuller 67-yard punt return (Nick Novak kick), 0:56. Texans 27–20.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays

|stats=

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}}

Will Fuller's 67-yard punt return TD late in the third quarter helped the Texans defeat the Titans 27–20. With the victory, the Texans improved to 3–1. Houston also defeated Tennessee for the fifth straight time. The victory is the Texans' 100th overall win in franchise history.

==Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Five: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=October 9

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Texans

|R1=0|R2=6|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Vikings

|H1=14|H2=10|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

|attendance=66,683

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Jeff Triplette

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016100905/2016/REG5/texans@vikings Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56970/MIN_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • MIN – Adam Thielen 36-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 11:23. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 3:37.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 6:28. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:52.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 19-yard field goal, 9:58. Vikings 17–0. Drive: 15 plays, 58 yards, 6:19.
  • MIN – Marcus Sherels 79-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick), 8:46. Vikings 24–0.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 38-yard field goal, 5:42. Vikings 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:04.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 30-yard field goal, 1:37. Vikings 24–6. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 2:04.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 9-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 14:09. Vikings 31–6. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:42.
  • HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 1-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 3:46. Vikings 31–13. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.

|stats=

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}}

With the loss, the Texans fell to 3–2 and have yet to defeat the Vikings in franchise history.

==Week 6: vs. Indianapolis Colts==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Six: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=October 16

|time=7:30 p.m. CDT

|road=Colts

|R1=3|R2=10|R3=0|R4=10|R5=0

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=3|H3=6|H4=14|H5=3

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,891

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium; roof closed)

|referee=Bill Vinovich

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016101612/2016/REG6/colts@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56991/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • IND – Adam Vinatieri 41-yard field goal, 5:56. Colts 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 27 yards, 4:16.

Second quarter

  • IND – Jack Doyle 22-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 14:55. Colts 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 4:33.
  • IND – Adam Vinatieri 37-yard field goal, 6:55. Colts 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:12.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 27-yard field goal, 1:57. Colts 13–3. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:58.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Lamar Miller 1-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 7:06. Colts 13–9. Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 5:13.

Fourth quarter

  • IND – Andrew Luck 14-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 14:53. Colts 20–9. Drive: 2 plays, 20 yards, 0:25.
  • IND – Adam Vinatieri 36-yard field goal, 7:04. Colts 23–9. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 5:17.
  • HOU – Lamar Miller 10-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 2:37. Colts 23–16. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:27.
  • HOU – C. J. Fiedorowicz 26-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 0:49. Tied 23–23. Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 1:01.

Overtime

  • HOU – Nick Novak 33-yard field goal, 8:10. Texans 26–23. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:20.

|stats=

Top passers

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Top receivers

}}

The Texans hosted their divisional rivals, the Colts, in a prime time match up. Houston's offense got off to a slow start during the first half with the crowd booing quarterback Brock Osweiler numerous times. While the offense was struggling, Houston's defense kept them in the game to only trail 3–13 at halftime. The Texans' offense scored their first touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter with a 1-yard run from Lamar Miller. Miller's rushing touchdown was his first of the season and Houston's first rushing touchdown of the season. After Miller's touchdown run, Nick Novak missed the extra point, going wide right, to trail 9–13. The Texans' offense faltered again while the Colts started to pull away in the fourth quarter to lead 23–9 with 7:04 left in regulation. Down by 14, the Texans refused to give up and started a comeback against the Colts. Houston tied the game with 0:47 left in regulation on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Osweiler to tight end C. J. Fiedorowicz. With Novak making the extra point, the game was tied at 23–23. Indianapolis tried to win the game in regulation, but were forced to punt with 0:23 left in the game. Houston took the knee to close out the fourth.

The Colts received the ball to begin overtime, but failed to make it out of their own territory. On 3rd and 3 Andrew Luck was sacked by Benardrick McKinney for a 9-yard loss and Indianapolis was forced to punt the ball away. Houston made it into field goal territory after Osweiler found Jaelen Strong for a 36-yard pass at the Indianapolis 12-yard line. On the next play, Osweiler intentionally ran for a 3-yard loss to help set up a Novak field goal. After Osweiler's set up, Novak made the 33-yard field goal to win the game for the Texans, 26–23.

With the win, Houston went to 4–2 on the season, 4–0 at home, and extended their win streak over Indianapolis to a franchise best 2 games.

==Week 7: at Denver Broncos==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Seven: Houston Texans at Denver Broncos – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|October 24|Monday}}

|time=7:30 p.m. CDT/6:30 p.m. MDT

|road=Texans

|R1=6|R2=0|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Broncos

|H1=0|H2=14|H3=7|H4=6

|stadium=Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

|attendance=76,865

|weather={{convert|71|F|C}}, partly cloudy

|referee=Carl Cheffers

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016102400/2016/REG7/texans@broncos Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57007/DEN_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 43-yard field goal, 7:11. Texans 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 2:16.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 43-yard field goal, 0:21. Texans 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 5:05.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 29-yard field goal, 9:09. Broncos 14–9. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:50.
  • DEN – Devontae Booker 1-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 0:40. Broncos 21–9. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:57.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Brandon McManus 22-yard field goal, 11:36. Broncos 24–9. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 3:20.
  • DEN – Brandon McManus 32-yard field goal, 1:57. Broncos 27–9. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 2:43.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

In a MNF matchup, Brock Osweiler returned to Denver for the first time after leaving the Broncos in the offseason. But his success last week wasn't enough this week as the Broncos held the Texans to three field goals for the win. With the loss, the Texans fell to 4–3.

==Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=October 30

|time=12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Lions

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=10

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=14|H3=3|H4=3

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,882

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium, roof closed)

|referee=Brad Allen

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016103004/2016/REG8/lions@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57013/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • HOU – C. J. Fiedorowicz 6-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 12:56. Texans 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 5:54.
  • HOU – Lamar Miller 1-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 7:04. Texans 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:34.
  • DET – Matt Prater 47-yard field goal, 0:06. Texans 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 0:30.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 33-yard field goal, 5:51. Texans 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:30.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Theo Riddick 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 14:50. Texans 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:01.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 36-yard field goal, 4:09. Texans 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 6:05.
  • DET – Matt Prater 34-yard field goal, 2:53. Texans 20–13. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 1:16.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Texans rebounded from their dismal Monday Night performance and never trailed in their first matchup against the Detroit Lions since Houston's Thanksgiving 2012 win in OT. With the win, the Texans entered the Week 9 bye at 5–3.

==Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguars==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Ten: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

|date=November 13

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=14|R2=0|R3=7|R4=3

|home=Jaguars

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=0|H4=11

|stadium=EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

|attendance=62,091

|weather={{convert|69|F|C}}, sunny

|referee=Ronald Torbert

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016111302/2016/REG10/texans@jaguars Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57036/JAC_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • JAX – Jason Myers 54-yard field goal, 5:17. Texans 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards, 3:43.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Stephen Anderson 7-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 4:07. Texans 21–10. Drive: 1 play, 7 yards, 0:05.

Fourth quarter

  • JAX – Jason Myers 44-yard field goal, 14:56. Texans 21–13. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:11.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 51-yard field goal, 8:32. Texans 24–13. Drive: 11 plays, 42 yards, 6:24.
  • JAX – Allen Robinson 14-yard pass from Blake Bortles (Blake Bortles–Allen Robinson pass), 2:17. Texans 24–21. Drive: 8 plays, 92 yards, 1:25.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Texans got their first road win of the season and their first winning streak since Weeks 1–2, improving to 6–3.

==Week 11: at Oakland Raiders==

NFL International Series

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Eleven: Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|November 21|Monday}}

|time=7:30 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=7|R4=3

|home=Raiders

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=3|H4=14

|stadium=Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

|attendance=76,473

|weather={{convert|63|F|C}}, clear

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016112100/2016/REG11/texans@raiders Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57061/OAK_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 32-yard field goal, 8:34. Texans 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 6:26.

Second quarter

  • OAK – Jalen Richard 17-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 14:54. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:35.
  • OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 19-yard field goal, 12:48. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:06.
  • HOU – Braxton Miller 12-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 7:59. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:49.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Lamar Miller 1-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 8:32. Texans 17–10. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 6:19.
  • OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 20-yard field goal, 2:39. Texans 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:53.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 28-yard field goal, 10:57. Texans 20–13. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 6:42.
  • OAK – Jamize Olawale 75-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 10:44. Tied 20–20. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:13.
  • OAK – Amari Cooper 35-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 4:43. Raiders 27–20. Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 1:32.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

Following their first road win of the season the previous week, the Texans traveled to Mexico City to face the Oakland Raiders in what would be a controversial game. Houston received the opening kickoff and Brock Osweiler found DeAndre Hopkins for a 60-yard touchdown pass and run, but Hopkins was ruled out of bounds after gaining 24 yards. The instant replay showed that Hopkins stayed in bounds, but the play could not be challenged due to an NFL rule that says a play where a player is ruled out of bounds cannot be challenged.{{cite web|last=Weatherly|first=Kaleel|publisher=SB Nation|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2016/11/22/13710136/texans-vs-raiders-referees-blown-calls|title=Texans lost to the Raiders after referees blew two critical calls|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016}} After the officiating error, the Texans' opening drive ended in a 32-yard field goal from Nick Novak. In the 4th quarter, with the game tied 20–20, the Texans made it to the Raiders' 16-yard line. On 3rd and 2, Lamar Miller ran the ball and appeared to have gained the 1st down, but was ruled just short. On 4th and inches, Houston decided to go for it and handed the ball off to Akeem Hunt. Hunt also appeared to have gained the 1st down, but was ruled short. The play was challenged, but the call was upheld. The spot of the ball on both plays was heavily criticized as both Miller and Hunt appeared to have gained enough yards for a 1st down.{{cite web|last=Wagner-McGough|first=Sean|work=CBS Sports|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/refs-job-texans-in-mexico-raiders-steal-a-win-final-score-8-things-to-know/|title=Refs job Texans in Mexico, Raiders steal a win: Final score, 8 things to know|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016}} On the ensuing drive, Oakland would score the game-winning touchdown with a 35-yard pass from Derek Carr to Amari Cooper.

Along the controversial officiating, a fan in the stands shined a laser pointer in the eyes of Osweiler and Miller throughout the game.{{cite web|last=Lyles, Jr.|first=Harry|publisher=SB Nation|url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/11/21/13710752/monday-night-football-texans-raiders-laser-pointer|title=Brock Osweiler did not enjoy having a green laser pointer shined in his face during 'Monday Night Football'|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016}}

==Week 12: vs. San Diego Chargers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Twelve: San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=November 27

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Chargers

|R1=0|R2=14|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=6

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,897

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof stadium, roof closed)

|referee=Jeff Triplette

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016112705/2016/REG12/chargers@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57070/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 19-yard field goal, 14:09. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 5:28.
  • SD – Hunter Henry 12-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Josh Lambo kick), 9:52. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 45-yard field goal, 0:14. Chargers 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 2:03.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Texans fell to the Chargers 21–13, losing their first and only home game of the season and dropping to 6–5.

==Week 13: at Green Bay Packers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Thirteen: Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date=December 4

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=6

|home=Packers

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=14

|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=77,867

|weather={{convert|32|F|C}}, snow

|referee=Gene Steratore

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016120404/2016/REG13/texans@packers Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57083/GB_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • GB – Jordy Nelson 32-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 12:42. Packers 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 98 yards, 5:20.
  • GB – Aaron Ripkowski 3-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 4:11. Packers 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 89 yards, 4:41.
  • HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 44-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (kick failed, wide right), 1:51. Packers 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 2:20.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

Houston lost for the first time in Green Bay, falling to .500 and 6–6.

==Week 14: at Indianapolis Colts==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Fourteen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

|date=December 11

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=3|R2=10|R3=3|R4=6

|home=Colts

|H1=3|H2=0|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

|attendance=65,250

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Brad Allen

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016121104/2016/REG14/texans@colts Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57098/IND_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • IND – Adam Vinatieri 32-yard field goal, 8:35. Colts 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 3:50.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 21-yard field goal, 4:04. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 2:01.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Lamar Miller 2-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 2:26. Texans 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:19.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 52-yard field goal, 0:12. Texans 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 0:29.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 24-yard field goal, 12:46. Texans 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 12 yards, 1:08.
  • IND – Frank Gore 18-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:53. Texans 16–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:53.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 41-yard field goal, 11:53. Texans 19–10. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 4:51.
  • IND – T. Y. Hilton 35-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 9:06. Texans 19–17. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 2:47.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 34-yard field goal, 2:51. Texans 22–17. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 6:15.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

With the win, the Texans moved up to 7–6 and swept the Colts for the first time in franchise history. They also snapped their three-game losing streak.

==Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date=December 18

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Jaguars

|R1=0|R2=13|R3=7|R4=0

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=5|H3=6|H4=10

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,803

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Ed Hochuli

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016121804/2016/REG15/jaguars@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57115/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • JAX – Jason Myers 26–yard field goal, 14:10. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:36.
  • JAX – Jason Myers 50–yard field goal, 11:12. Jaguars 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, −7 yards, 1:38.
  • JAX – Blake Bortles 1–yard rush (Jason Myers kick), 8:39. Jaguars 13–0. Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 1:30.
  • HOU – Penalty on Neal Sterling enforced in the end zone for a safety, 1:49. Jaguars 13–2. Drive: 3 plays, −1 yard, 1:01.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 39–yard field goal, 0:53. Jaguars 13–5. Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 0:46.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 45–yard field goal, 7:07. Jaguars 13–8. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:14.
  • JAX – Marqise Lee 100–yard kick return (Jason Myers kick), 7:02. Jaguars 20–8.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 43–yard field goal, 0:15. Jaguars 20–11. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 3:15.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 27–yard field goal, 7:57. Jaguars 20–14. Drive: 14 plays, 58 yards, 6:05.
  • HOU – Lamar Miller 1–yard run (Nick Novak kick), 2:52. Texans 21–20. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:56.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Texans were down 13–5 at halftime and had a deficit as large as 20–8, but ultimately rallied to win 21–20. With the comeback win, the Texans improved to 8–6 and extended their divisional winning streak to 10 games, and six straight against Jacksonville.

===Notes===

Quarterback Brock Osweiler was pulled from the game and benched in favor of Tom Savage during the second quarter.{{cite web|website=Business Insider|last=Knowlton|first=Emmett|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/texans-bench-brock-osweiler-2016-12|title=Houston Texans bench Brock Osweieler in first half against Jaguars|date=December 18, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2016}} Osweiler went 6/11 for 48 yards and threw two back-to-back interceptions before being pulled from the game in the middle of the second quarter.{{cite magazine|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/12/18/texans-quarterback-brock-osweiler-benched-tom-savage|title=Brock Osweiler: Texans quarterback benched for Tom Savage|date=December 18, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2016}}

==Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|December 24|Saturday}}

|time=7:25 p.m. CST

|road=Bengals

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Texans

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=3|H4=9

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,836

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Carl Cheffers

|TV=NFLN

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Stacey Dales

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016122411/2016/REG16/bengals@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57137/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • CIN – Randy Bullock 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Bengals 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 67 yards, 4:58.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 25-yard field goal, 9:05. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:55.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 22-yard field goal, 13:31. Texans 6–3. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 6:34.
  • CIN – Brandon LaFell 86–yard pass from Andy Dalton (Randy Bullock kick), 10:45. Bengals 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 0:55.
  • HOU – Alfred Blue 24-yard run (kick blocked), 8:41. Texans 12–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

Quarterback Tom Savage got his first career NFL start against the Cincinnati Bengals. Savage struggled in the first half against the Bengals' stout defense, being sacked on two back-to-back plays in the first quarter for a huge loss. The first score of the game came on a last second 43-yard field goal from Randy Bullock to put Cincinnati up 3–0 going into halftime. The Texans responded on their first possession in the second half with a 25-yard field goal from Nick Novak to tie the game at 3–3. The Bengals punted the ball on their next possession. Receiving the ball back, another drive stalled for the Texans as they had to settle for a 22-yard field goal from Novak to take a 6–3 lead. Cincinnati tried to respond to the Houston field goal, but a tipped pass from Andy Dalton was intercepted by Quentin Demps. The Texans came up short on the interception and were forced to punt the ball back. After receiving the kick, the Bengals quickly struck with Dalton finding Brandon LaFell for an 86-yard touchdown pass. With Bullock making the extra point the Bengals took a 10–6 lead with 10:45 left to play. Houston responded on their next drive with a 24-yard touchdown run from Alfred Blue, but Novak's extra point was blocked. After both teams traded punts, the Bengals marched down to the Houston 25-yard line to try the game-winning field goal. Cincinnati kicker Randy Bullock, who had been released by the Texans the previous season, tried for the game-winning field goal, but it went wide right.

With the win and the Tennessee Titans losing earlier in the day, the Texans won their second straight AFC South title.

==Week 17: at Tennessee Titans==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Seventeen: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

|date=January 1, 2017

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=10|R4=7

|home=Titans

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

|attendance=65,205

|weather={{convert|52|F|C}}, cloudy

|referee=Bill Vinovich

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Tom McCarthy and Adam Archuleta

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017010110/2016/REG17/texans@titans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57151/TEN_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • HOU – C. J. Fiedorowicz 4-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 10:31. Titans 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 4:29.
  • TEN – Derrick Henry 2-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 4:44. Titans 21–7. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 5:47.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 26-yard field goal, 1:15. Titans 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:33.

Fourth quarter

  • TEN – Ryan Succop 35-yard field goal, 8:34. Titans 24–10. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 7:41.
  • HOU – Brock Osweiler 1-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 3:11. Titans 24–17. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:19.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

Tom Savage started at quarterback for the Texans, but was pulled from the game in the 1st quarter due to a possible concussion. After Savage was pulled, Brock Osweiler, who had been benched 2 weeks prior, came in as quarterback.

With the loss, the Texans finished the regular season at 9–7 for the third straight year. Their ten-game winning streak against divisional opponents was snapped, as well as their five-game winning streak against the Titans.

=Postseason=

{{see also|2016–17 NFL playoffs}}

==AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Oakland Raiders==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Oakland Raiders at (4) Houston Texans – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|January 7, 2017|Saturday}}

|time=3:35 p.m. CST

|road=Raiders

|R1=7|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Texans

|H1=10|H2=10|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

|attendance=71,790

|weather=Played indoors (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Ronald Torbert

|TV=ESPN/ABC

|TVAnnouncers= Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters and Adam Schefter

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017010700/2016/POST18/raiders@texans Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57157/HOU_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 50-yard field goal, 8:04. Texans 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:45.
  • HOU – Lamar Miller 5-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 6:16. Texans 10–0. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:02.
  • OAK – Latavius Murray 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 1:01. Texans 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 1:55.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 38-yard field goal, 8:48. Texans 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
  • HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 2-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Nick Novak kick), 1:20. Texans 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:05.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Brock Osweiler 1-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 12:28. Texans 27–7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 2:49.
  • OAK – Andre Holmes 8-yard pass from Connor Cook (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 8:10. Texans 27–14. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:18.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

In a rematch of a controversial game from week 11, the Houston Texans hosted the Oakland Raiders for the first playoff game of the 2016 season.

Brock Osweiler started as the Texans' quarterback with Tom Savage still out due to concussion protocol. On the other side of the field, Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook started his first-ever NFL game, which also happened to be in the postseason, becoming the first rookie in NFL history since the inception of the Super Bowl to do so. With eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Texans drew first blood with a 50-yard Nick Novak field goal, and a handoff from Texans QB Brock Osweiler to Lamar Miller touchdown and Novak PAT soon made the game 10–0. A 37-yard punt return on a 51-yard punt from Shane Lechler by Jalen Richard gave the Raiders good field position for a Latavius Murray rushing touchdown to bring the Raiders back into the game at 10–7 after a Sebastian Janikowski PAT. The Texans and then the Raiders exchanged three-and-outs, setting the scene for a coffin corner punt by Marquette King that pinned the Texans at their own five-yard line. However, the Texans recovered and scored again on a narrowly good Novak 38-yard field goal. A subsequent DeAndre Hopkins touchdown reception further widened their lead to 20–7 at the half. Neither team was able to put anything on the scoreboard in the third quarter. However, with 12:28 left to go in the fourth quarter, Brock Osweiler went untouched for a 1-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 27–7. The Raiders rallied back with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Cook to Andre Holmes, but that would be the last score of the game as Connor Cook's next drive was abruptly halted after a tipped-ball interception by Texans cornerback A. J. Bouye sealed the Raiders' fate. The final score was 27–14 to the Texans.

==AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) New England Patriots==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=AFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) Houston Texans at (1) New England Patriots – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|January 14, 2017|Saturday}}

|time=8:15 p.m. EST/7:15 p.m. CST

|road=Texans

|R1=3|R2=10|R3=0|R4=3

|home=Patriots

|H1=14|H2=3|H3=7|H4=10

|stadium=Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

|attendance=66,829

|weather={{convert|28|F|C}}, cloudy and cold

|referee=Pete Morelli

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017011401/2016/POST19/texans@patriots Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57162/NE_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • NE – Dion Lewis 13-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 9:27. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:43.
  • HOU – Nick Novak 33-yard field goal, 1:15. Patriots 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 8:12.
  • NE – Dion Lewis 98-yard kick return (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:00. Patriots 14–3.

Second quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 27-yard field goal, 11:39. Patriots 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:45.
  • HOU – C. J. Fiedorowicz 10-yard pass from Brock Osweiler, 10:49. Patriots 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:40.
  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 19-yard field goal, 0:07. Patriots 17–13. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 3:47.

Third quarter

  • NE – James White 19-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 9:09. Patriots 24–13. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 3:21.

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – Nick Novak 44-yard field goal, 14:51. Patriots 24–16. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:50.
  • NE – Dion Lewis 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:16. Patriots 31–16. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:28.
  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 42-yard field goal, 6:37. Patriots 34–16. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 3:45.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

With this loss, the Texans become the latest victim of the Super Bowl home field curse, as no host team had ever played the championship game on its own home field (with the previous week's victory, they had already become only the third Super Bowl host team - and the first other than the Miami Dolphins - to win a playoff game). They finish with an overall record of 10–8.

Standings

=Division=

{{2016 AFC South standings|team=HOU}}

=Conference=

{{2016 AFC standings|team=HOU}}

Statistics

=Team=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
width="150" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Category

! width="100" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Total yards

! width="110" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Yards per game

! width="80" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |NFL rank
{{small|(out of 32)}}

Passing offense3,176198.529th
Rushing offense1,859116.28th
Total offense{{cite web |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/season/2016/seasontype/2 |title=2016 NFL Team Total Offense Stats |access-date=October 14, 2022}} || 5,035 || 314.7 || 29th
Passing defense3,226201.62nd
Rushing defense1,59599.712th
Total defense{{cite web |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/season/2016/seasontype/2 |title=2016 NFL Team Total Defense Stats |access-date=October 14, 2022}} || 4,821 || 301.3 || 1st

=Individual=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
width="150" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Category

! width="150" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Player

! width="100" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Texans|year=2016|border=2}}" |Total

align="center" colspan="4"| Offense
Passing yardsBrock Osweiler2,957
Passing touchdownsBrock Osweiler15
Rushing yardsLamar Miller1,073
Rushing touchdownsLamar Miller6
Receiving yardsDeAndre Hopkins954
Receiving touchdownsDeAndre Hopkins
C. J. Fiedorowicz		4
align="center" colspan="4"| Defense
Tackles {{small|(Solo)}}Benardrick McKinney79
SacksWhitney Mercilus7.5
InterceptionsQuintin Demps6

Source:{{cite web |publisher=Houston Texans |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/team/stats/2016/REG |title=2016 Texans Statistics |access-date=October 14, 2022}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{official website|http://www.houstontexans.com}}

{{Houston Texans}}

{{Houston Texans seasons}}

{{2016 NFL season by team}}

Houston

Category:Houston Texans seasons

Houston Texans

Category:AFC South championship seasons