NFL · AFC South
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Houston Texans history & legends
The Houston Texans joined the NFL as an expansion team in 2002, bringing pro football back to Houston after the Oilers moved to Tennessee. The Texans have won the AFC South multiple times and are still chasing the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl.
Franchise milestones
Houston won its first game in franchise history in 2002, a memorable upset of the in-state rival Dallas Cowboys. The Texans clinched their first division title and playoff berth in 2011, and in 2023 rookies C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. swept the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards while leading Houston back to the playoffs.
Best players in Texans history
- J.J. Watt – Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the face of the franchise.
- Andre Johnson – Hall of Fame receiver and the Texans’ first Hall of Famer.
- Arian Foster – Undrafted running back who became one of the NFL’s best in the early 2010s.
- DeAndre Hopkins – Star receiver famous for his strong hands and contested catches.
- C.J. Stroud – 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Will Anderson Jr. – 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Mario Williams – The franchise’s first No. 1 overall pick to make multiple Pro Bowls.
- Duane Brown – Longtime Pro Bowl left tackle.
Biggest rivalries
The Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars are Houston’s AFC South rivals, and games with the Titans carry extra history because that franchise was once the Houston Oilers. In-state matchups with the Dallas Cowboys are always big events in Texas.
