2018 Houston Texans Schedule Has Some 'Experts' Optimistic

HOUSTON, TX — The NFL released the schedules of all 32 teams on Thursday evening, and fans couldn't share it on their social media feeds fast enough. Like it, share, love it, leave it or hate it, the release of schedules means it's one step closer to football season.

The Texans open with games at New England and Tennessee before hosting the New York Giants. The Texans host the Cowboys on a Sunday night and travel to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas weekend.

Of course, anybody who covers the NFL — or any specific team — began breaking down the schedules and giving predictions almost as soon as the dates and times were released Thursday night.

Patch chose ESPN's analysis and prediction to move forward. What did they say? Well, if the prognosticator/staff writer Sarah Barshop is accurate, then the Texans will go 11-5 and tie for first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who'll get the higher playoff seed because of their two head-to-head victories over Houston.

The writer goes on to say the Texans will lose their first two road games to the Patriots and Titans, and the lose to the Eagles.

However, the 11-5 mark is tied for tops in the AFC with Jacksonville and New England.

Barshop — what a cool last name, besides McDonald, of course — says the Texans will beat the Cowboys, Giants, Redskins, Colts (twice), Dolphins, Broncos, Jets, Bills and Browns.

"The Texans will start the season with one of their toughest games of the year in what could be a fun rematch from 2017. Last September, quarterback Deshaun Watson had his coming-out party, throwing for 301 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions," Barshop wrote. "He gave the Texans a chance to win with less than three minutes remaining before Tom Brady led the Patriots on a game-winning touchdown drive. This game will be close, but it'll have the same result."

Of course, Brady got walloped at home during their home opener last season against Kansas City.

For the Texans, Watson is healthy, J.J. Watt is back, the Honey Badger is on defense and there's the possible courting of Dez Bryant. Now, it's all fun and talk until Sept. 9.

Image: Houston Texans fans show their support before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)