The Texans are on a historic streak when it comes to the playoffs — but not because of anything happening on the field.
The NFL franchise, founded back in 1999, officially joined the league in 2002. It took until 2011 for the Texans to reach the postseason, but when they have, there's become an interesting pattern in their scheduling: Houston is consistently being placed in the same time slot on Wild Card weekend.
Time and time again, the NFL has made Houston's playoff matchups an afternoon contest, a trend that continues in 2025 when it takes on the Chargers in the opening round.
Here's what to know about the Texans' odd streak of Saturday afternoon wild card games.
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Texans' streak of Saturday afternoon wild card games
Counting their upcoming appearance against the Chargers on Wild Card Weekend, the Texans have now made the postseason eight times in franchise history.
Every single one of their opening playoff matchups has fallen on the same day and time slot of the weekend: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Start time for every Wild Card game in Texans history
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 6, 2025
2011: Saturday 3:30
2012: Saturday 3:30
2015: Saturday 3:30
2016: Saturday 3:30
2018: Saturday 3:30
2019: Saturday 3:30
2023: Saturday 3:30
2024: Saturday 3:30
A tradition like no other
The early Saturday slot isn't considered one of the NFL's "prime time" slots, as it often trails other game times like Sunday afternoon, Sunday night or Monday night in viewership.
There's no direct answer as to why the NFL has consistently given the Texans the early Saturday game, but in all likelihood, it probably has something to do with the franchise still not having a history of playoff success. The Texans have yet to reach an AFC Championship game in franchise history, let alone a Super Bowl.
Despite all eight of their postseason appearances coming from AFC South division titles, the Texans have won a total of five playoff games, never advancing past the divisional round. In 2023, they beat the Browns over Wild Card Weekend, but fell to the Ravens in Round 2.
While the Houston market is surely significant, the Texans have yet to build their franchise up to consistent playoff success. That's likely why they continue to play in the Saturday afternoon playoff spot — but perhaps if Houston makes a deep run this January, starting with a win over Los Angeles, it could free itself of the repetitive cycle of Saturday playoff games. Having a budding young star at quarterback in C.J. Stroud could only help as well.
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Texans year-by-year playoff results
Here's a look at each of Houston's eight playoff appearances in franchise history:
| Season | Regular season record | AFC South finish | Head coach | Playoff result(s) |
| 2024 | 10-7 | 1st | DeMeco Ryans | TBD |
| 2023 | 10-7 | 1st | DeMeco Ryans | W vs. Browns (wild card), L vs. Ravens (divisional) |
| 2019 | 10-6 | 1st | Bill O'Brien | W vs. Bills (wild card), L vs. Chiefs (divisional) |
| 2018 | 11-5 | 1st | Bill O'Brien | L vs. Colts (wild card) |
| 2016 | 9-7 | 1st | Bill O'Brien | W vs. Raiders (wild card), L vs. Patriots (divisional) |
| 2015 | 9-7 | 1st | Bill O'Brien | L vs. Chiefs (wild card) |
| 2012 | 12-4 | 1st | Gary Kubiak | W vs. Bengals (wild card), L vs. Patriots (divisional) |
| 2011 | 10-6 | 1st | Gary Kubiak | W vs. Bengals (wild card), L vs. Ravens (divisional) |
