What Is 2019 Houston Texans football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Houston Texans finished the regular season with an 10-6 record, won the AFC South, and were coached by Bill O'Brien. They lost in the Divisional Round to the Kansas City Chiefs 51-31 on January 12, 2020.

Key Facts

Finished the 2019 regular season with a 10-6 win-loss record
Won the AFC South division title for the second consecutive year
Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns
Defensive end J.J. Watt recorded 8.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles
Lost 51-31 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round on January 12, 2020

Overview

The 2019 season marked the 18th year of the Houston Texans in the NFL and their second consecutive AFC South title under head coach Bill O'Brien. With a strong offensive performance led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, the team finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, securing a playoff berth.

Despite a solid regular season, the Texans faced criticism for defensive inconsistencies and struggled in the postseason. Their playoff run ended in the Divisional Round with a 51-31 loss to the eventual AFC champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Record: The team finished the regular season with a 10-6 win-loss record, improving from their 11-5 record in 2018 due to a tougher schedule and inconsistent defense.
Division title: They won the AFC South for the second straight year, edging out the Indianapolis Colts by one game in the final standings.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding 556 rushing yards, ranking among the league leaders in total offense.
Defensive anchor: Veteran defensive end J.J. Watt recorded 8.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles despite missing time due to injury, remaining a key presence on defense.
Playoff result: The Texans advanced to the Divisional Round after a Wild Card win but were defeated 51-31 by the Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2020.

How It Works

The 2019 Houston Texans operated under a pass-heavy offensive scheme and a defense that relied on veteran leadership and situational pressure. The team's performance was shaped by coaching decisions, player health, and strategic adaptations throughout the season.

Offensive System: The Texans ran a spread-based, pass-first offense under coordinator Tim Kelly, emphasizing quick decisions and Watson's dual-threat capabilities to stretch defenses.
Defensive Scheme: Utilized a 4-3 base alignment with aggressive blitz packages; however, the unit ranked 28th in points allowed per game (27.7) due to secondary breakdowns.
Coaching Leadership: Head coach Bill O'Brien maintained control of play-calling duties, drawing both praise for offensive creativity and criticism for conservative decisions in key moments.
Key Injuries: The team lost starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a Week 13 ankle injury, impacting pass protection and offensive rhythm down the stretch.
Special Teams: Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn made 26 of 32 field goals, including a 59-yarder, while the punt return unit averaged just 6.8 yards per return.
Playoff Format: As the 4th seed in the AFC, the Texans hosted a Wild Card game, defeating the Buffalo Bills 22-19 before traveling to Kansas City for the next round.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Texans compared to their 2018 season and division rivals in key statistical categories:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
2019 Houston Texans	10-6	433	418	Divisional Round loss
2018 Houston Texans	11-5	374	326	Wild Card loss
2019 Indianapolis Colts	7-9	393	372	No playoffs
2019 Tennessee Titans	9-7	335	307	AFC Championship
2019 New England Patriots	12-4	416	261	Divisional Round loss

The data shows that while the Texans scored more points in 2019 than the year before, their defense regressed significantly, allowing 92 additional points. This defensive decline contributed to their lopsided playoff loss, despite a strong start to the postseason.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was pivotal for the Texans as it highlighted both the potential of their young quarterback and the urgency to strengthen their defense and coaching structure. It also marked the final full season of J.J. Watt’s prime and foreshadowed major organizational changes.

Quarterback development: Deshaun Watson’s 4,165 passing yards signaled his emergence as a top-tier NFL quarterback, drawing comparisons to elite dual-threats like Patrick Mahomes.
Defensive concerns: Allowing 27.7 points per game ranked among the worst in the league, prompting calls for defensive coordinator changes and roster upgrades.
Coaching scrutiny: Bill O'Brien’s dual role as head coach and GM came under fire after the playoff loss, eventually leading to his dismissal in 2020.
Playoff implications: The 22-19 Wild Card win over Buffalo was the franchise’s first playoff victory since 2016, boosting fan morale despite the subsequent blowout.
Team trajectory: The season underscored the gap between regular-season success and playoff competitiveness, especially against elite teams like Kansas City.
Legacy impact: The 2019 campaign remains a turning point, after which the Texans underwent significant roster and leadership overhauls in the following years.

Ultimately, the 2019 Houston Texans season exemplified a team with high offensive potential but systemic flaws that prevented a deeper playoff run. It served as a catalyst for future changes both on and off the field.