2017 Houston Texans season

The 2017 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 16th season in the National Football League and the fourth under head coach Bill O'Brien. With the Texans' loss at the Titans in Week 13, Houston exceeded their loss total (7) from 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Texans clinched their first losing season since 2013 (and their first under Bill O'Brien), and finished in last place in the AFC South for the first time since 2013.

2017 Houston Texans season
OwnerBob McNair
Head coachBill O'Brien
General managerRick Smith
Home fieldNRG Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place4th AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersWR DeAndre Hopkins
LB Jadeveon Clowney
AP All-ProsWR DeAndre Hopkins (1st team)
Uniform

The team were with high hopes with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback who broke rookie records in his starts. However, after a loss in Week 8, Watson tore his ACL during practice that ruled him out for the rest of the season. The team was forced to turn to backup Tom Savage to replace Watson. Savage could not fill the void and the Texans limped to a 4–12 finish, tied for second-worst in the AFC standings with the Indianapolis Colts. The team was also affected by the loss of defensive end J.J. Watt, who for the second consecutive season was lost early, this time after suffering an injury in Week 5.

This was also the last full season under the ownership of Bob McNair, who died during the 2018 season.

Draft
Main article: 2017 NFL Draft
2017 Houston Texans draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 12 Deshaun Watson *  QB Clemson from Philadelphia via Cleveland
2 57 Zach Cunningham  LB Vanderbilt
3 89 D'Onta Foreman  RB Texas
4 130 Julién Davenport  OT Bucknell
4 142 Carlos Watkins  DT Clemson Compensatory pick, from Cleveland
5 169 Treston Decoud  CB Oregon State
7 243 Kyle Fuller  C Baylor
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

  • The Texans acquired a fourth-round compensatory selection (No. 142 overall) from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Houston's sixth-round selection (No. 188 overall), 2018 second-round selection, and quarterback Brock Osweiler.[1]
  • The Texans acquired an additional sixth-round selection (No. 188 overall) in a trade that sent tight end Khari Lee to the Chicago Bears.[2]
  • The Texans traded their original sixth-round selection (No. 209 overall), along with their first-round selection in 2016 (22nd) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for the Redskins' first-round selection in 2016 (21st).

Coaching changes

On January 16, the Texans and offensive coordinator George Godsey mutually parted ways after the team finished 29th in total yards for the 2016 season.[3][4] Two days later the Texans announced that defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel had been promoted to assistant head coach while linebackers coach Mike Vrabel would become the team's new defensive coordinator.[5] On January 31, it was announced that Wes Welker had been hired as an offensive/special teams assistant coach for the Texans.[6]

Staff
2017 Houston Texans staff
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
  • Vice president of player personnel/assistant general manager – Jimmy Raye III
  • Director of college scouting – Jon Carr
  • Director of pro personnel – Rob Kisiel
  • Director of football research – Jim Bernhardt
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Mike Martin
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Larry Wright

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Craig Fitzgerald
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Ian Jones
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Brian Bell

Final roster
2017 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, 20 inactive, 10 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 9 at Carolina Panthers L 17–27 0–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 August 19 New England Patriots W 27–23 1–1 NRG Stadium Recap
3 August 26 at New Orleans Saints L 0–13 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 N/A Dallas Cowboys Cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey †

† The game was originally scheduled for August 31, and to be moved from its original venue, NRG Stadium, to the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, due to public safety concerns regarding flooding in the Houston area from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey.[7] However, the game was later cancelled in order to allow Texans' players and coaches to return to Houston after the storm.[8]

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 10 Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–29 0–1 NRG Stadium Recap
2 September 14 at Cincinnati Bengals W 13–9 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 24 at New England Patriots L 33–36 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
4 October 1 Tennessee Titans W 57–14 2–2 NRG Stadium Recap
5 October 8 Kansas City Chiefs L 34–42 2–3 NRG Stadium Recap
6 October 15 Cleveland Browns W 33–17 3–3 NRG Stadium Recap
7 Bye
8 October 29 at Seattle Seahawks L 38–41 3–4 CenturyLink Field Recap
9 November 5 Indianapolis Colts L 14–20 3–5 NRG Stadium Recap
10 November 12 at Los Angeles Rams L 7–33 3–6 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
11 November 19 Arizona Cardinals W 31–21 4–6 NRG Stadium Recap
12 November 27 at Baltimore Ravens L 16–23 4–7 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
13 December 3 at Tennessee Titans L 13–24 4–8 Nissan Stadium Recap
14 December 10 San Francisco 49ers L 16–26 4–9 NRG Stadium Recap
15 December 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–45 4–10 EverBank Field Recap
16 December 25 Pittsburgh Steelers L 6–34 4–11 NRG Stadium Recap
17 December 31 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–22 4–12 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week One: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 3 16 7329
Texans 0 0 707

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Texans' offensive line played poorly in the game, giving up a total of 10 sacks. Tom Savage started at quarterback for Houston and was sacked 6 times for a total loss of 33 yards. Savage was benched at halftime, finishing the game 7/13 with 62 yards and fumbled twice. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson entered the game in the second half and ended the first drive on a 4-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins. Watson didn't fare much better behind the poor offensive line play, being sacked 4 times for a total loss of 21 yards with one fumble. Watson finished the game 12/23 for 102 yards with one touchdown and an interception along with 2 rushes for 16 yards.

Linebacker Brian Cushing was suspended 10 games without pay following the game for violating the NFL's PED policy.[9]

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week Two: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 7 0313
Bengals 0 6 309

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Deshaun Watson started his first NFL game for the Texans against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Watson scored the team's only touchdown of the game on a 49-yard run while the Bengals failed to score a touchdown.

Week 3: at New England Patriots
Week Three: Houston Texans at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 10 10 7633
Patriots 7 14 7836

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Trying to get their first ever win in New England and only their second ever win against the Patriots, the Texans led 33-28 with 2:28 remaining, but Tom Brady threw the game winning touchdown to Brandin Cooks with 23 seconds remaining. With the loss, the Texans fell to 1-2. They also fell to 1-9 all time against the Patriots, and 0-6 against them in Foxborough.

Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Four: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 0 14 0014
Texans 14 16 72057

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Texans never punted during the first half, with four drives ending in a touchdown and one in a 50-yard field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn. On Houston's last possession of the half, a Deshaun Watson pass was intercepted by Kevin Byard. Andre Hal intercepted two Marcus Mariota passes during the half.[10] The Texans' first punt came on their second possession of the second half, with 3:27 left in the 3rd quarter. The 30 points scored in the first half are the second most in franchise history. Houston defeated Tennessee by a score of 57–14, the most points scored in a single game in franchise history.[11]

Week 5: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Five: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 3 20 01942
Texans 0 7 62134

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Coming back from a blowout win against Tennessee, the Texans went to face an undefeated Chiefs team. However, tragedy struck when DE J. J. Watt suffered a season ending leg injury in the first quarter that was later revealed to be a tribal plateau fracture to his left leg.[12] OLB Whitney Mercilus also suffered a season ending pectoral injury.[13] Taking advantage of the Watt injury, the Chiefs jumped out to a 16-0 lead 26 minutes into the game. Houston came within 6 points of the lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Texans defense could not keep up with the Chiefs offense. The Chiefs won by 8 points and the Texans fell to 2-3 on the season.

Watt and Mercilus ended up having a major impact on the team, the team going 2-10 without them (including the Chiefs game) and 2-2 with them.

Week 6: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Six: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 01417
Texans 10 14 9033

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,815
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Texans started the year 3-3, however this was their high point of the season. They suffered another major injury in week 9 and went 1-9 from week 7 onwards.

Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Eight: Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 14 7 31438
Seahawks 14 7 61441

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 69,025
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Dana Jacobson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 9: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week Nine: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 7 3 7320
Texans 0 7 0714

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Texans suffered a serious blow when quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his ACL during practice and was lost for the season.[14] Tom Savage was named the starter for Houston with T. J. Yates and Matt McGloin being signed as backups.[15]

The Texans only had 96 yards of total offense in the first half with Savage completing 7 passes on 19 attempts for 76 yards. The Colts scored on their first drive with Jacoby Brissett finding T. Y. Hilton for a 45-yard touchdown pass. In the 2nd quarter, Houston kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed his first field goal of the season on a 39-yard attempt. The Texans got their first score after Eddie Pleasant sacked Brissett at the Indianapolis 34 yard line. Brissett fumbled the football on the sack with it being recovered by Lamarr Houston who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. The first half ended with Brissett being sacked by Pleasant again for a loss of 6 yards and a -1 yard run from Frank Gore. Savage threw his first NFL touchdown pass on a 34-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins in the 4th quarter.

  • Note: In the third quarter, the Sutherland Springs church shootings happened during a commercial break in which CBS cut to a special news report during the commercial break. Greg Gumbel, after the commercial break, said a prayer before Indianapolis kicked off after scoring.

Week 10: at Los Angeles Rams
Week Ten: Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 7 007
Rams 3 6 21333

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 60,032
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 14 7021
Texans 0 10 71431

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

After struggling for the past 2 weeks, the Texans' offense improved against the Cardinals, scoring 4 touchdowns. Tom Savage threw 2 touchdowns in the game: a 7-yard pass to Lamar Miller in the 1st quarter and a 28-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins in the 3rd quarter. Rookie running back D'Onta Foreman rushed for 2 touchdowns on a 3-yard run and a 34-yard run. Foreman was carted off the field after his 2nd touchdown with a lower leg injury.[16]

Savage turned the ball over twice in the game, fumbling after being sacked by Budda Baker and throwing an interception to Patrick Peterson. Arizona scored a touchdown following both Houston turnovers. Blaine Gabbert threw 2 interceptions: one to Eddie Pleasant and one to Andre Hal.

Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Twelve: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 7 3 3316
Ravens 0 17 0623

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

Week 13: at Tennessee Titans
Week Thirteen: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 7 0313
Titans 0 10 7724

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 62,758
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 14: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Battle Red Day

Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 13 10326
Texans 3 6 7016

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Tom Savage left the game in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. Savage took a hard hit from Elvis Dumervil and his hands were visibly shaking and had trouble rolling over on his side.[17] After throwing two incomplete passes on the ensuing drive, Savage was further evaluated and taken into the locker room. Savage's return was heavily criticized by fans, media members, and concussion experts, including Chris Nowinski.[18] Savage finished the game 6-of-12 for 63 yards. T. J. Yates came in at quarterback on the Texans' next drive, leading a 9 play, 75 yard touchdown drive, ending with a 7-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins.

With the loss, the Texans fell to 4–9, ensuring their first losing season under head coach Bill O'Brien. Houston was eliminated from playoff contention the following day after the Miami Dolphins defeated the New England Patriots.

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Fifteen: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 707
Jaguars 7 24 7745

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

With another blowout loss to the Jaguars, the Texans were swept by Jacksonville for the first time since 2013 and fell to 4–10.

Week 16: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL on Christmas Day

Week Sixteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 10 10 7734
Texans 0 0 066

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Seventeen: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 10 0013
Colts 0 7 7822

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Division
AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Jacksonville Jaguars 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 417 268 L2
(5) Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 334 356 W1
Indianapolis Colts 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 263 404 W1
Houston Texans 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 338 436 L6

Conference
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .484 .466 W3
2[lower-alpha 1] Pittsburgh Steelers North 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 .453 .423 W2
3[lower-alpha 2] Jacksonville Jaguars South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .434 .394 L2
4[lower-alpha 2] Kansas City Chiefs West 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .477 .481 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .434 .396 W1
6[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .492 .396 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 3] Baltimore Ravens North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .441 .299 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 .457 .347 W2
9 Cincinnati Bengals North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .465 .321 W2
10[lower-alpha 4] Oakland Raiders West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .512 .396 L4
11[lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .543 .531 L3
12[lower-alpha 5] Denver Broncos West 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .492 .413 L2
13[lower-alpha 5] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .520 .438 L4
14[lower-alpha 6] Indianapolis Colts South 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .480 .219 W1
15[lower-alpha 6] Houston Texans South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .516 .375 L6
16 Cleveland Browns North 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 .520 – L16
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
  1. New England claimed the No. 1 seed over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
  2. Jacksonville claimed the No. 3 seed over Kansas City based on conference record.
  3. Tennessee finished ahead of Buffalo, Baltimore and Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record, claiming the No. 5 seed.
    Buffalo and Baltimore finished ahead of Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record.
    Buffalo claimed the No. 6 seed over Baltimore based on strength of victory.
  4. Oakland finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head victory.
  5. Denver finished ahead of the New York Jets based on head-to-head victory.
  6. Indianapolis finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head sweep.
  7. 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.

Notes

    References
    1. Shefter, Adam (March 9, 2017). "Texans trade Brock Osweiler, 2018 second-round pick to Browns". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
    2. Biggs, Brad (September 2, 2015). "Bears trade for Texans tight end Khari Lee". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
    3. Florio, Mike (January 16, 2017). "Texans part ways with George Godsey". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
    4. Middlehurst-Schwartz, Michael (January 16, 2017). "Texans, offensive coordinator George Godsey agree to part ways". USA Today. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
    5. Daniels, Tim (January 18, 2017). "Mike Vrabel Named Texans DC, Romeo Crennel to Be Assistant Head Coach". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
    6. Barshop, Sarah (January 31, 2017). "Wes Welker joins Houston Texans as offensive, special-teams assistant". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
    7. "Cowboys-Texans game relocated to AT&T Stadium". NFL.com. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
    8. Epstein, Jori (August 30, 2017). "Cowboys-Texans game canceled to give Houston players chance to go home after Harvey". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
    9. "Brian Cushing of Houston Texans suspended 10 games". ESPN. September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
    10. Williams, Charean (October 1, 2017). "Deshaun Watson, Andre Hal lead Texans to big lead". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
    11. Bishop, Sarah (October 1, 2017). "Deshaun Watson shows what's possible for Texans with record performance". ESPN. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
    12. "J.J. Watt has season-ending surgery to repair fracture". NFL.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
    13. "Whitney Mercilus out for season with torn pectoral". NFL.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
    14. Deshaun Watson tears ACL in practice from NFL website
    15. "TJ Yates, Matt McGloin set to backup new Texans starter Savage at QB". KTRK. November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
    16. Williams, Charean (November 19, 2017). "D'Onta Foreman carted off with lower leg injury". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
    17. Bishop, Sarah (December 10, 2017). "Tom Savage of Houston Texans taken to locker room, seen with hands twitching after hit". ESPN. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
    18. Schad, Tom (December 10, 2017). "Tom Savage shakes after scary hit, briefly returns to game". USA Today. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
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