Unless an NFL team’s bye week is way too early season (like, say, Week 4) or way too late in the season (like, say, Week 14, like the Texans had in 2024), most NFL head coaches will say that the bye week is coming at the perfect time. Whether a team is good or bad, there are always injuries that can heal, and if a team is bad (like, say, the 2026 Houston Texans), then the head coach will cite the ability to “reset mentally,” like DeMeco Ryans did this week on his coach’s show on 95.7 The Fan.
The fact of the matter is that, with this supremely frustrating version of the Houston Texans, this version where they are 2-5 but somehow remain talented enough for computers to think they have a 33 percent chance of still making the postseason, even fans need a break. So, yes, I agree with DeMeco Ryans — this bye week comes at a perfect time. As someone who hosts the Houston Texans’ post game show on the radio, I can definitely use a week off from angry phone calls after another loss.
Personally, I enjoy the bye week every year, whether the Texans are winning or losing. My wife and I, when we got married six years ago, decided to start a tradition in which, on the Texans’ bye week, we choose a different NFL city in which to go see a game. It gives us a chance to watch football together (which we can’t do on Texans game days, because I’m working) and experience the traditions of other NFL cities. This weekend, we will be in Buffalo to see the Bills take on the Ravens. Two of the last three league MVPs, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, will be squaring off. It doesn’t get much better.
Back in Houston, though, I want to make sure that you folks still have solid viewing recommendations for this Texans-less weekend of sports, so in the spirit of the regular Friday Texans preview, here are four things to watch for on TV this weekend:
Arizona at Texas Tech, Saturday, 11 a.m.
The Texans aren’t the only local football team on a bye this weekend. The University of Houston Cougars are on a bye week, as well. Right now, after their disappointing loss in Utah last weekend, the Coogs are sitting at 3-2 in the conference, good enough for sixth place. The top two teams in the conference will play in the Big XII title game, so the Coogs need help. Arizona and Texas Tech both have one conference loss, so the Coogs will pull even with one of these teams, so it’s worth firing this up on TV. On top of that, unless you went to Texas Tech, there’s a good chance that you’re sick of their billionaire NIL benefactor, Cody Campbell, and watching the Red Raiders lose will send him into another hissy fit on Twitter. Again, WORTH WATCHING!
Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The Rockets are off to a 5-0 start to the season for just the sixth time in the history of the franchise. The last four times they started 5-0, before this season, they at least made the conference finals, and twice they won the NBA title. Last season, the Thunder and the Spurs faced off in the conference finals. The Rockets have already defeated the Spurs this season, in Austin last Saturday, so this Saturday night, the Rockets have a chance to send a message to the other Western Conference finalist. This should be an electric night at Toyota Center, or on television!
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Noon
The path for the Texans to make the postseason probably still runs through the division, and the hope that they can catch the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are 4-2 and coming off a bye week after their loss to the Texans in London. The Jags play the Colts this weekend at home, so it’s unlikely the Texans gain any ground on Sunday, especially considering the Colts have started selling off their best players like they’re spare parts. However, it is the NFL, and anything can happen, so come noon on Sunday, find a sports bar that’s showing this game, and root for the Colts, even if it feels dirty.
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 3:05 p.m.
One productive way to spend the bye week is scouting your next opponent. When the Texans return to the field in Week 9, they’ll be headed to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, who are the only remaining winless team in the NFL. Given the fact that they’ve been a playoff team in each of Jim Harbaugh’s first two seasons as the head coach, this is a stunning development. The Rams are a touchdown favorite over the Chargers, but as a Texans fan, I’m kind of hoping the Chargers pull off the upset, which would keep them from coming into the Texans game in Week 9 desperate for their first win.
