The 2020 schedule will look one way to some people and another way to others. The things that I want to know about each game is what rookies do we face, who's new that we know and what I can tweet about each game. So, in that vein, here's how to look at the schedule...my way.
Week 1 - AT Kansas City
The newbie - Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a running/receiving monster at LSU last year and he could step right in to start, ala Kareem Hunt in 2017, in his first game.
Old face in new place - Defensive end Taco Charlton, who we saw last year in preseason game number three wrecking shop for the Dallas Cowboys, was added to the Chiefs roster after he was released by the Miami Dolphins just after the draft.
Opener in 140 characters or less...Cue the fireworks, drop the banner, strike up the band and rip the band aid RIGHT THE HECK OFF! Let's go!
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Week 2 - v. Baltimore
The newbie - Similar to Kansas City, the Ravens added running back J.K. Dobbins, a 2,000 yard rusher from Ohio State. He joins a crowded backfield, but he's maybe the most complete back of the bunch.
Old face in a new place - Oh my, why can't we be rid of Calais Campbell for good? He was traded to Baltimore and we'll face him in a Liberty White game for the third time in four years (2017, 2019 and 2020).
Home opener in 140 characters or less...Lamar v. Deshaun on a field of green, the prettiest sight these eyes have ever seen.
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Week 3 - AT Pittsburgh
The newbie - Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool was one of the highest risers in the Draft discussion and provides immediate competition for a solid receiving corps. Oh, they also added another Watt (fullback Derek).
Old face in a new place - Receiving tight end Eric Ebron terrorized us in 2018 and in the first game of 2019, but by the end of 2019, he was not much of a factor for the Colts. However, he's got Ben Roethlisberger to throw him the ball in Pittsburgh now. Ugh, not fun.
Game three in 140 characters or less...We saw Big Ben last year and we'll see the American version of Big Ben this year...give me a sandwich with fries on it and three Watts to go!!
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Week 4 - v. Minnesota
The newbie - LSU star receiver Justin Jefferson replaces Stefon Diggs, who was traded to Buffalo, and should make a seamless transition for Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense.
Old face in a new place - The Vikings new offensive coordinator is Gary Kubiak. The Vikings new senior defensive assistant is Dom Capers. This means that all three Texans head coaches in their history (Capers, Kubiak and Bill O'Brien) will be in the same building for the first time ever.
Game four in 140 characters or less...It's the battle of Skol v. Skoal (unless you're a Red Man kind of guy/gal)
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Week 5 - v. Jacksonville
The newbie - Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson will step into the large shoes left by last year's departure of Jalen Ramsey. Those are some large, and loud, shoes, to say the least.
Old face in a new place - Okay, this one is a little different, but the last time I saw K'Lavon Chiasson up close, he was playing for North Shore High School in a classic high school playoff game v. Katy High School at NRG Stadium. He certainly isn't an old face, that's for sure, but he knows his way around NRG Stadium.
Game five in 140 characters or less...Oh, how I miss London but there's no place like home.
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Week 6 - AT Tennessee
The newbie - LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton will see the Texans remodeled passing attack for the first time. It won't be like any Saturday meeting he had the past two seasons in college football.
Old face in a new place - Hey, is that J Joe? Yep. That's going to look, and feel, weird...really, REALLY weird.
Game six in 140 characters or less...The Varsity is on its way for a gargantuan meeting in Nashville. The JV is staying at home this time. Cue the bands, the twang and the hot chicken.
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Week 7 - v. Green Bay
The newbie - We won't see rookie 1st round quarterback Jordan Love, will we? Can we? Please?
Old face in a new place - Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur cut his teeth as a young buck assistant coach in 2008-2009 before heading to Washington with Kyle Shanahan in 2010.
Game seven in 140 characters or less...Facing Aaron Rodgers is not fun. That is all.
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Week 8 - OPEN WEEK
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Week 9 - AT Jacksonville
The newbie - TIAA Bank Stadium isn't new, but it's new...again, to us after being in London last year.
Old face in a new place - Us in Jacksonville. Duh.
Game eight in 140 characters or less...Minshew Mania runnin' WILD IN DUVAL COUNTY, BROTHER!!
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Week 10 - AT Cleveland
The newbie - Mr. Watt meet Mr. Wills. Former Alabama star Jedrick Wills will see what an all-time NFL great looks like as he faces J.J. Watt for the first time.
Old face in a new place - We've seen enough of former Titans star offensive tackle Jack Conklin for a lifetime, but at least it's not twice a year any more. I can live with that, but we'll face him in his inaugural season in Cleveland.
Game nine in 140 characters or less...the Texans only play outside one more time the rest of the season and that's music to this sideline reporter's ears.
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Week 11 - v. New England
The newbie - 2nd year quarterback Jarrett Stidham is no stranger to Houston given his family ties to this area, but he has never faced the Texans before. Or, will it be...
Old face in a new place - ...former Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer, who helped lead the Texans to the 2015 AFC South division title?
Game ten in 140 characters or less...All I know is that it's not Tom...finally.
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Week 12 - AT Detroit (Thanksgiving)
The newbie - Number three overall pick Jeffery Okudah is a Texan, but not on this day. The Grand Prairie, TX product will get introduced to a revamped receiving corps and Deshaun Watson early on Thanksgiving Day.
Old face in a new place - Uh, like a million former Patriots - Danny Shelton, Trey Flowers, Jamie Collins and Duron Harmon
Game 11 in 140 characters or less...Ham (yeah, don't @ me about turkey), stuffing, potatoes and a flight home with a W will make this a Thanksgiving to remember.
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Week 13 - v. Indianapolis
The newbie - USC star receiver Michael Pittman was the apple of GM Chris Ballard/head coach Frank Reich's eyes as they selected him early in round two. The Texans secondary will have its hands full with the former Trojan star.
Old face in a new place - It's a long drive from San Diego to Indianapolis, but new Colts quarterback Philip Rivers made that trip to join his former coaching staff in Indianapolis. It'll be the second straight season that the Texans face Rivers after squabbling in Los Angeles last year in week three. By Week 12, we'll know what dividends the Rivers' decision has provided for the Colts.
Game 12 in 140 characters or less...Big Philly Style in Colts blue and white will be a strange, but curious, sight.
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Week 14 - AT Chicago
The newbie - Tight end Jimmy Graham isn't quite a newbie, but the last time we saw him in the regular season, he tore our hearts out with the game winning touchdown in Seattle in 2017. His newest tight end running mate Cole Kmet is a newbie who should see the field early and often alongside his former Pro Bowl teammate.
Old face in a new place - Does Nick Foles count? He did warm up on the field in London last year prior to our meeting with Jacksonville.
Game 13 in 140 characters or less...Get me the tights, the gloves, the hat and the jacket one last time in 2020...WE'RE GOING INSIDE THE REST OF THE WAY!
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Week 15 - AT Indianapolis (Sat or Sun)
The newbie - Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor was the first Wisconsin player picked by Wisconsin graduate GM Chris Ballard. Taylor ran for well over 6,000 yards in his career in just three years in Madison and his gift upon entering the NFL was getting to run behind this Colts offensive line.
Old face in a new place - Well, we are the same face, same time in a different place. Saturday game, weekend before Christmas. 2018 - Jets. 2019 - Bucs. 2020 - Colts (I'm assuming it's that Saturday game, for now)
Game 14 in 140 characters or less...Thursday, Saturday, Monday or Sunday, it doesn't matter when it's the Colts. It's Rock and Roll time (sorry, Marc - copyright infringement)
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Week 16 - v. Cincinnati
The newbie - Joey B! 2020 NFL Draft number one overall selection Joe Burrow will make his triumphant debut at NRG Stadium two days after Christmas.
Old face in a new place - Defensive tackle D.J. Reader signed with the Bengals this offseason and I miss him already.
Game 15 in 140 characters or less...the last time the Bengals played at NRG Stadium during the holidays, the Texans won a thriller to clinch the AFC South in 2016. Deja vu, all over again?
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Week 17 - v. Tennessee
The newbie - Former Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson is the size of a tiny house and in high school, he was his team's wildcat quarterback on the goal line. Don't be surprised if the Titans aren't thinking about how to incorporate that asset in their offense. In the backfield, Wilson will make Derrick Henry look like Darren Sproles by comparison.
Old face in a new place - Head coach Mike Vrabel. Again.
The Finale in 140 characters or less...it's either not going to matter at all, like 2016 or 2019, or it's going to be for the whole McGillicuddy. No in between in Week 17.
Local artists present the Texans 2020 schedule!
