2018 Houston Texans season

The 2018 season was the Houston Texans' 17th season in the National Football League and their fifth under head coach Bill O'Brien. This marks the first season since 2005 that Rick Smith would not be the general manager as he took a leave of absence for family reasons. Despite an 0–3 start, their first in a decade, the Texans surpassed their win total from the previous season with a Week 8 win over the Miami Dolphins. They had a franchise record 9 consecutive wins that also broke the NFL record for most consecutive wins after starting 0–3. The streak ended with a Week 14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. With a Week 15 win over the New York Jets, the Texans clinched their first 10-win season under head coach Bill O’Brien, their first 10-win season since 2012 and their third 10-win season in franchise history.

2018 Houston Texans season
OwnerBob McNair until his death on November 23, 2018
Janice and D. Cal McNair from November 24, 2018
General managerBrian Gaine
Head coachBill O'Brien
Home fieldNRG Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place1st AFC South
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Colts) 7–21
Pro Bowlers
6
AP All-Pros
2
Uniform

On November 23, 2018, Bob McNair, the founding owner of the Texans, died aged 81.[1]

Despite losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, the Texans clinched a playoff berth after the New Orleans Saints defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers later that day.

With a Week 17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans clinched the AFC South division, winning their fifth division title.

The Texans lost in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, 21–7 to their AFC South rival, the Indianapolis Colts.

Draft
Main article: 2018 NFL Draft
2018 Houston Texans draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
3 68 Justin Reid  S Stanford
3 80 Martinas Rankin  OT Mississippi State from Seattle
3 98 Jordan Akins  TE UCF Compensatory pick
4 103 Keke Coutee  WR Texas Tech
6 177 Duke Ejiofor  DE Wake Forest
6 211 Jordan Thomas  TE Mississippi State Compensatory pick
6 214 Peter Kalambayi  LB Stanford Compensatory pick
7 222 Jermaine Kelly  CB San Jose State
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Draft trades

  • The Texans traded their first-round selection (4th overall), as well as their 2017 first-round selection (25th overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's first-round selection in 2017 (12th overall).
  • The Texans traded their second-round selection (35th overall), their sixth-round selection in 2017 (188th overall) and quarterback Brock Osweiler to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's fourth-round selection in 2017 (142nd overall).
  • The Texans traded their fifth-round selection (141st overall) and offensive tackle Duane Brown in exchange for Seattle's third-round selection (80th overall) and a second-round selection in 2019.
  • The Texans were awarded one third-round and two sixth-round compensatory picks (98th, 211th and 214th overall).

Staff
2018 Houston Texans staff
Front office
  • Owner – Janice McNair and D. Cal McNair
  • President – Jamey Rootes
  • General manager – Brian Gaine
  • Executive vice president of football operations – Rick Smith
  • Senior vice president of football administration – Chris Olsen
  • Director of college scouting – Jon Carr
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Mike Martin
  • Director of pro personnel – Rob Kisiel
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – C.J. Leak

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Brad Seely
  • Assistant special teams – Tracy Smith

Strength and conditioning

  • Senior director of sports performance – Luke Richesson
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Brian Bell
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Ian Jones

Final roster
2018 Houston Texans final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 9 inactive, 10 practice squad

NFL Top 100
Main article: NFL Top 100 Players of 2018
RankPlayerPositionChange
13DeAndre HopkinsWRNR
32Jadeveon ClowneyOLBIncrease 17
50Deshaun WatsonQBNR
84J. J. WattDEDecrease 49

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 9 at Kansas City Chiefs W 17–10 1–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 August 18 San Francisco 49ers W 16–13 2–0 NRG Stadium Recap
3 August 25 at Los Angeles Rams L 20–21 2–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
4 August 30 Dallas Cowboys W 14–6 3–1 NRG Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 9 at New England Patriots L 20–27 0–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 September 16 at Tennessee Titans L 17–20 0–2 Nissan Stadium Recap
3 September 23 New York Giants L 22–27 0–3 NRG Stadium Recap
4 September 30 at Indianapolis Colts W 37–34 (OT) 1–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
5 October 7 Dallas Cowboys W 19–16 (OT) 2–3 NRG Stadium Recap
6 October 14 Buffalo Bills W 20–13 3–3 NRG Stadium Recap
7 October 21 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–7 4–3 TIAA Bank Field Recap
8 October 25 Miami Dolphins W 42–23 5–3 NRG Stadium Recap
9 November 4 at Denver Broncos W 19–17 6–3 Broncos Stadium at Mile High Recap
10 Bye
11 November 18 at Washington Redskins W 23–21 7–3 FedEx Field Recap
12 November 26 Tennessee Titans W 34–17 8–3 NRG Stadium Recap
13 December 2 Cleveland Browns W 29–13 9–3 NRG Stadium Recap
14 December 9 Indianapolis Colts L 21–24 9–4 NRG Stadium Recap
15 December 15 at New York Jets W 29–22 10–4 MetLife Stadium Recap
16 December 23 at Philadelphia Eagles L 30–32 10–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
17 December 30 Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–3 11–5 NRG Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: at New England Patriots
Week One: Houston Texans at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 3 7720
Patriots 7 14 3327

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Safety Tyrann Mathieu, who signed with the Texans in the offseason, intercepted a Tom Brady pass that was tipped by Angelo Blackson in the 1st quarter.[2]

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans
Week Two: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 3717
Titans 14 0 0620

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Week 3: vs. New York Giants
Week Three: New York Giants at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 13 0727
Texans 3 3 31322

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

With the loss, the Texans fell to 0–3 for the first time since 2008, and suffered their ninth consecutive loss dating back to Week 12 of last season. They then went on to win their next nine games.

Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Four: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Texans 14 7 73637
Colts 7 3 714334

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Win the win, the Texans improved to 1–3 and snapped a 9–game losing streak. Rookie wide receiver Keke Coutee made his NFL debut, finishing with 11 receptions for 109 yards. Coutee's 11 receptions are the most by a rookie receiver since the AFL–NFL merger.[3]

Week 5: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Five: Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cowboys 6 0 73016
Texans 0 10 33319

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Battle Red Day

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 6713
Texans 7 3 01020

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

In a low-scoring defensive battle, the Texans claimed the victory in final minutes when cornerback Johnathan Joseph intercepted a pass from Bills backup quarterback Nathan Peterman and returned it for the game-winning touchdown.[4]

Week 7: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Seven: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 6 7 7020
Jaguars 0 0 707

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,534
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Lamar Miller had his first 100-yard rushing game since December 11, 2016 and also had his first rushing touchdown of the season on a 5-yard run during the third quarter.[5] Safety Tyrann Mathieu sacked Jacksonville quarterback Cody Kessler in the fourth quarter for his first sack as a Texan and also had an interception.[6] With the win, Houston improved to 4–3, took sole possession of 1st place in the AFC South, and had their first four-game winning streak since the 2015 season.

Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 3 10323
Texans 7 7 141442

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw five touchdowns (tying a career high) while only having four incompletions with no interceptions.[7] Lamar Miller had another 100-yard rushing game for the second week in a row, running for 133 yards with a touchdown.[8][9] With the win, the Texans improved to 5–3 and surpassed their win total from the previous season. Receiver Will Fuller tore his right ACL during the game and is expected to be out for 6 to 9 months.[10]

Week 9: at Denver Broncos
Week Nine: Houston Texans at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 7 9 0319
Broncos 3 7 7017

at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

With the close win, the Texans improved to 6–3. They are the first team since the 1970 Giants to win 6 in a row after starting 0–3.

Week 11: at Washington Redskins
Week Eleven: Houston Texans at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 10 7 3323
Redskins 0 7 7721

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

Game information

With another close win, the Texans improved to 7–3, their best start since 2012. They also tied their longest win streak in franchise history at 7 straight, which they previously accomplished in 2011. This is the second straight game that the Texans have won thanks to a missed last second field goal.

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Twelve: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 10 0 7017
Texans 7 17 3734

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Texans successfully avenged their Week 2 loss to their division rival Titans. With their 8th straight win, they improved to 8–3 and eclipsed their previous franchise record for most consecutive wins. Coupled with a Steelers loss to the Denver Broncos the day before, the Texans' victory allowed them to leapfrog the Steelers for the No. 3 seed in the AFC.

This game was the first game following the death of the owner and founder Bob McNair and the team has dedicated the victory to him.[11]

Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Thirteen: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 0 7613
Texans 10 13 3329

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Houston Texans were going for their ninth win in a row against Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns who the week before defeated the Bengals. The Texans were able to outplay the Browns en route to their ninth straight win and forced the Browns to turn the ball over four times including three interceptions by Baker Mayfield.

Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week Fourteen: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 17 7024
Texans 7 0 7721

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

With the loss, the Texans 9-game winning streak was snapped. They also squandered an opportunity to move ahead of the Patriots for the No. 2 seed as the Patriots suffered a loss of their own to the Miami Dolphins.

Week 15: at New York Jets
Week Fifteen: Houston Texans at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 13 01329
Jets 3 6 6722

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

With the win, the Texans improved to 10–4 and reached 10 wins for the first time since 2012, and for the first time in the Bill O'Brien era. With the Patriots loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers the next day, the Texans obtained sole possession of the No. 2 seed and now control their destiny for a first-round bye if they win their last 2 games.

Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Sixteen: Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 16 01430
Eagles 7 6 10932

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

The Texans traveled to Philadelphia seeking to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time in franchise history. Houston rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to take a one-point lead on a 35-yard touchdown reception by Vyncint Smith with 2:04 remaining in the game. However, the defense could not stop Philadelphia on the ensuing drive, and the Eagles prevailed 32-30 on a 35-yard field goal by Jake Elliott as time expired. With the loss, the Texans fell to 10-5 on the season and 0-5 all-time against the Eagles. Houston also failed to clinch the AFC South due to victories by the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts and slipped back to No. 3 with the New England Patriots victory over the Buffalo Bills. However, the Texans would clinch a playoff berth when the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the New Orleans Saints later that day.

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Seventeen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 3 0 003
Texans 3 14 0320

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,848
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Division
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Houston Texans 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 402 316 W1
(6) Indianapolis Colts 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 433 344 W4
Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 310 303 L1
Jacksonville Jaguars 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 245 316 L1

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .480 .401 W1
2[lower-alpha 2] New England Patriots East 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 .482 .494 W2
3[lower-alpha 2] Houston Texans South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 .471 .435 W1
4 Baltimore Ravens North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 8–4 .496 .450 W3
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Los Angeles Chargers West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .477 .422 W1
6 Indianapolis Colts South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 .465 .456 W4
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 6 1 .594 4–1–1 6–5–1 .504 .448 W1
8 Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 .520 .465 L1
9 Cleveland Browns North 7 8 1 .469 3–2–1 5–6–1 .516 .411 L1
10 Miami Dolphins East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .469 .446 L3
11[lower-alpha 3] Denver Broncos West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .464 L4
12[lower-alpha 3] Cincinnati Bengals North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .535 .448 L2
13[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .411 W1
14 Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .549 .463 L1
15[lower-alpha 4] New York Jets East 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .506 .438 L3
16[lower-alpha 4] Oakland Raiders West 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .547 .406 L1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. Kansas City finished ahead of LA Chargers based on division games.
  2. New England finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  3. Denver finished ahead of Cincinnati and Buffalo based on strength of victory. Cincinnati finished ahead of Buffalo based on record vs. common opponents. Cincinnati's cumulative record against Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami was 3–2, compared to Buffalo's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
  4. NY Jets finished ahead of Oakland based on strength of victory.
  5. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason
See also: 2018–19 NFL playoffs

Schedule
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 5, 2019 Indianapolis Colts (6) L 7–21 0–1 NRG Stadium Recap

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (6) Indianapolis Colts
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Indianapolis Colts at (3) Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 7 0021
Texans 0 0 077

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

This was the first time in Houston Texans history where they played against a division opponent in the postseason. With the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys hosting the Seattle Seahawks Saturday evening, it was also the first time in league history that two NFL playoff games were played in Texas on the same day.

Statistics

Team
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense3,781236.317th
Rushing offense2,021126.38th
Total offense[12]5,802362.615th
Passing defense4,167260.427th
Rushing defense1,32382.73rd
Total defense[13]5,490343.112th

Individual
Category Player Total
Offense
Passing yardsDeshaun Watson4,165
Passing touchdownsDeshaun Watson26
Rushing yardsLamar Miller973
Rushing touchdownsLamar Miller
Deshaun Watson		5
Receiving yardsDeAndre Hopkins1,572
Receiving touchdownsDeAndre Hopkins11
Defense
Tackles (Solo)Zach Cunningham73
SacksJ. J. Watt16
InterceptionsAndre Hal3

Source:[14]

References
  1. "Houston Texans Founder, Senior Chairman & CEO Robert C. McNair Passes Away". Houston Texans. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  2. Dougherty, Drew (September 9, 2018). "Tyrann Mathieu makes big impact at New England". Houston Texans. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  3. Dougherty, Drew (September 30, 2018). "Keke Coutee makes history in NFL debut". Houston Texans. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  4. Wilson, Aaron (October 14, 2018). "Johnathan Joseph called his key interception to beat Bills". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  5. "Texans' Lamar Miller: Hits century mark in tough matchup". CBS Sports. October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  6. "Texans' Tyrann Mathieu: Grabs interception in win". CBS Sports. October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  7. Newport, Kyle (October 25, 2018). "Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins Dominate in Texans' Win over Dolphins". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  8. Zucker, Joseph (October 25, 2018). "Lamar Miller, Jordan Thomas, More Fantasy Outlook After Will Fuller V Injury". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  9. "Texans' Lamar Miller: Second consecutive 100-yard effort". CBS Sports. October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  10. "Will Fuller of Houston Texans to have ACL surgery next week". ESPN. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  11. Barshop, Sarah (November 27, 2018). "Watt dedicates Texans' win to late owner McNair". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  12. "2018 NFL Team Total Offense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  13. "2018 NFL Team Total Defense Stats". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  14. "2018 Texans Statistics". Houston Texans. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
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