The NFL no longer mandated all 32 teams play on Thursday Night Football. As a result, not every team appeared in prime time for the 2023 season, including the Houston Texans.
While it may come at a relief that the Texans are no longer an embarrassment after the past three seasons, the reality is the DeMeco Ryans turnaround and blossoming of C.J. Stroud can’t be contained in the early game window. The NFL and NBC Sports may want to put this team on Sunday Night Football, which hasn’t featured the Texans since Dec. 1, 2019.
Here are three games that would make sense as targets for flexible scheduling.
Week 13 — vs. Denver Broncos
This could be a fun one as it would pit a rookie quarterback against a proven veteran in Russell Wilson. There would also be the same storyline among coaches with Sean Payton on the opposite sideline. Both teams would also be jockeying for wildcard positioning.
The current game slotted is Kansas City and Green Bay. NFL fans have seen enough of Taylor Swift.
Week 16 — vs. Cleveland Browns
We all know the quarterback connection between the teams, but that won’t be in play due to a season-ending shoulder surgery.
Nevertheless both teams could be in the mix of taking a division crown if not gaining ground for a wildcard berth. The matchup represents a chance to earn a key AFC win.
The Sunday nighter is New England and Denver. It would take both teams to crash hard over the next few weeks to make this possible — perhaps even Bill Belichick getting fired.
Week 18 — at Indianapolis Colts
If there is anything to play for on either side in Week 18, the league should do the right thing and put Houston in prime time, particularly if Stroud is on the verge of 5,000 yards or shattering some other rookie record.
The league keeps Week 18 completely open, which may be the Texans’ best shot at getting a prime time game.
