Texans expected to land primetime games

How dramatically the Texans have ascended in the NFL pecking order will be on full display Wednesday night when the league unveils its full regular-season schedule.

The Texans had zero primetime games a year ago, except for a flexed night game against the Indianapolis Colts that clinched the division title and a playoff spot.

And the defending AFC South champions have bolstered a talented roster headlined by Pro Bowl quarterback and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, led by dynamic coach DeMeco Ryans and coming off an ultra-productive offseason that landed Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.

Now, the NFL schedule-makers are expected to show what the league thinks about the Texans following an 11-8 season that included one playoff victory.

The Texans, the talk of the NFL this offseason, are likely slated for multiple primetime games. The most frequent estimates are three to four primetime games on the Texans’ schedule.

“Our guys have earned the right to get more nationally televised games,” Ryans said. “We’ve shown that we’ve been a good team this past year, and we’re looking forward to continuing what we’ve done, but our guys have to go and earn it again this year. I think they’ve earned the right for more viewers to watch them.”

The Texans have several attractive matchups worthy of a national audience.

That includes a road game against star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Of course, the battle for supremacy in the state of Texas will be a hot ticket. The Texans travel to face the Dallas Cowboys this season. That game includes another top quarterback matchup between Stroud and Dak Prescott, the friendly rivalry between Stroud and Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and Diggs against his brother, Cowboys standout corner Trevon Diggs.