MORE ON TEXANS 2016 SCHEDULE RELEASE
Texans-Patriots reunite in Thursday primetime game
Numbers to Know: 2016 schedule
2016 Texans featured in 5 primetime games
The Texans know their 2016 schedule, and they're energized.
"Any time the schedule comes out, it creates an air of excitement in your organization, in your coaching staff, your players who are going to be here on Monday," Bill O'Brien said on Thursday. "I know they're excited about it. We have some goals to accomplish before the season, but when that schedule comes out and you look at your opponents, it's very exciting."
With five prime-time matchups--three of which are on the road--the head coach and the Texans will be under the bright lights. And that's important.
"When you're playing on a Monday night, a Sunday night, a Thursday night, especially against the opponents we'll be playing on those nights, that's a big deal," O'Brien said.
After a Week 8 home contest against the Lions, the Texans will get their bye in Week 9. They'll return to action in Week 10 with a noon CT kickoff at Jacksonville on November 13. The head coach is in favor of having the break after Week 8.
"I believe the middle of the season is about the time when your players need a break, from a health standpoint, from a mental standpoint," O'Brien said. "Any time you see that bye coming in the middle of the season, that's a good thing."
The Texans will play on a Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday this year.
O'Brien and the team begin offseason conditioning on Monday morning at NRG Stadium and the Houston Methodist Training Center.
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The Texans will travel 15,308 miles in the 2016 regular season, and play in these venues.