The Houston Texans are the newest kids on the block when it comes to NFL franchises, having joined the professional football party in 2002. The Texans play in NRG Stadium, the first NFL venue to feature a retractable roof, setting a trend of similar constructions across the league in following years. Despite struggling for the better part of their first decade in the league, the team drew large crowds, hardly surprising given how football-mad (and football-starved since the departure of the Houston Oilers in 1996) that both the city of Houston and state of Texas are known to be. Bolstered by clever acquisitions and great draft picks like powerful defensive end J.J. Watt and dangerous wide receivers Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans finally made the playoffs for the first time in their history in 2011, where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 before falling to a strong Baltimore Ravens team 20-13 in the Divisional Playoffs. The Texans pipped the Bengals again in 2012, but were well beaten by the New England Patriots in the second round. In following years, the team appeared in the playoffs several more times, but, as of now, has not progressed any further than the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Recent years have seen big steps in the wrong direction for the Texans, with the team recording just 11 wins in three seasons (2020, 2021, 2022). With their form improved so far in 2023, Houston football fans will be hoping that their team can eke out a playoff spot this year and upset a few favorites in the postseason.