Inside the Houston Texans ahead of their NFL London return

The Houston Texans may be the youngest franchise currently competing in the NFL, but their relatively short history has already featured some of the league’s most recognisable players, a succession of AFC South titles and several periods in which Houston have established themselves as genuine postseason contenders.

From the emergence of Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt during the franchise’s formative years to the current generation led by C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., the Texans have developed an identity built around elite individual talent and, more recently, one of the strongest young cores in the AFC. Their latest chapter will bring them back across the Atlantic when they face divisional rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 18th October 2026.

It will be only the second London appearance in Houston’s history and a repeat of the fixture that marked their first visit to the capital seven years ago. Ahead of that meeting, we take a closer look at the history of the Houston Texans, their rise under DeMeco Ryans, the players British fans should watch and why their clash with Jacksonville is one of the most intriguing fixtures on the NFL London schedule.

How the Houston Texans joined the NFL

Houston’s modern NFL story began after the Oilers left the city during the 1990s, eventually relocating to Tennessee and becoming the Titans. The city was subsequently awarded the NFL’s 32nd franchise in October 1999, with the Houston Texans name officially introduced the following year ahead of their debut campaign in 2002.

Quarterback David Carr became the first overall selection in the 2002 NFL Draft and was tasked with leading a completely new roster into the league. Expansion franchises rarely enjoy immediate success, but Houston produced one of the most memorable opening nights possible when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in their first regular-season game.

Building a consistently competitive side understandably took considerably longer. The Texans managed only one winning season during their first eight campaigns, although the arrival and development of wide receiver Andre Johnson gave supporters their first genuine superstar and provided the organisation with a player who would eventually become synonymous with the early years of the franchise.

Johnson spent 12 seasons in Houston and became one of the leading receivers of his generation, recording seven seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards. His contribution was formally recognised in 2024 when he became the first player primarily associated with the Texans to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Houston finally reaches the playoffs

The Texans took their first major step forward in 2011 when they won the AFC South and reached the postseason for the first time. Gary Kubiak’s team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10 in the Wild Card Round before their campaign ended against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round.

Houston followed that breakthrough with an even stronger regular season in 2012, finishing 12-4 and retaining the AFC South title. The Texans were now established as one of the strongest teams in their division, with a powerful running game, an experienced offence and a defence featuring one of the best players anywhere in the NFL.

J.J. Watt had been selected 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and quickly developed into the defining player of that era. The defensive end won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times during his career in Houston and became famous for his ability to dominate games from the defensive line, recording sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions and even offensive touchdowns.

Together, Watt and Johnson became the faces of the first genuinely successful period in Texans history. Houston would go on to add further AFC South titles during the second half of the decade, although a first appearance in an AFC Championship Game continued to elude them.

C.J. Stroud leads Houston’s offence

Stroud remains the centrepiece of the Texans and one of the players most likely to attract attention when Houston return to London.

The former Ohio State quarterback entered the NFL with significant expectations after being selected second overall, but few could have anticipated how quickly he would adapt. His rookie campaign immediately established him as one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the league, combining impressive accuracy with an ability to attack downfield while rarely putting the football in danger.

His development since then has not been completely linear, which is hardly unusual for a young NFL quarterback, but Houston’s confidence in him has never been in doubt. At his best, Stroud is capable of moving the ball quickly through the air and producing explosive plays against even the strongest secondaries.

For British supporters attending Wembley, the opportunity to watch one of the NFL’s leading young quarterbacks remains one of the strongest reasons to keep an eye on Houston.

Nico Collins gives Houston a major receiving threat

One of the players who has benefited most from Stroud’s arrival is Nico Collins.

The wide receiver enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 when he recorded 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, establishing himself as Houston’s primary deep threat and one of the most productive receivers in the AFC. He followed that campaign with consecutive seasons above 1,000 receiving yards, cementing his position as a key part of the Texans offence.

At 6ft 4in, Collins combines size with the speed required to stretch a defence vertically, making him particularly dangerous when isolated against defensive backs. His ability to win contested catches also gives Stroud a valuable option when Houston need to create something downfield.

The relationship between Stroud and Collins has become one of the most important elements of the Texans offence and will be something Jacksonville’s secondary must account for at Wembley.

Will Anderson Jr. heads an imposing defence

If Stroud is the player around whom Houston’s offence has been built, Will Anderson Jr. occupies a similarly important role on the other side of the ball.

The former Alabama defender made an immediate impact after entering the league alongside Stroud in 2023 and has steadily increased his sack production since his rookie season. His combination of speed, power and relentless pressure has quickly made him one of the most difficult young edge defenders for opposing offensive lines to handle.

Houston have also surrounded Anderson with significant experience. Danielle Hunter has remained one of the league’s leading pass rushers well into his career, giving the Texans the ability to attack quarterbacks from both sides of the defensive front.

That pressure is a crucial part of how Ryans wants Houston to play. The Texans aim to disrupt quarterbacks before passing plays can develop, allowing their secondary to take advantage of hurried decisions and inaccurate throws.

Texans and Jaguars renew an AFC South rivalry

Houston’s meeting with Jacksonville is more significant than a typical international fixture because the two franchises share the AFC South and meet twice every regular season.

That familiarity has produced several closely fought contests in recent years, particularly as both sides have competed for playoff positions. Jacksonville and Houston split their two regular-season meetings in 2025, with each side winning by seven points, before the Jaguars finished 13-4 to claim the division and the Texans reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The London setting adds another chapter to an existing rivalry rather than creating a standalone exhibition between unfamiliar opponents. Both teams know each other well, both understand the importance of divisional results and both have recent postseason experience.

There is also history between the sides at Wembley. Houston’s only previous appearance in London came against Jacksonville in November 2019, when the Texans produced a convincing 26-3 victory after forcing four turnovers.

Seven years later, they will return to the same stadium to face the same opponent.

Why the Houston Texans are worth watching at NFL London

Houston offer an interesting contrast to many of the NFL’s traditional franchises because their entire history has unfolded within the lifetime of a large proportion of modern supporters.

There are no decades of Super Bowl victories or historic dynasties to revisit. Instead, the Texans’ story has been shaped by several distinct generations, beginning with Johnson, moving through the Watt era and now entering a period built around Stroud, Anderson, Collins and Stingley.

That makes the current team particularly compelling. Houston possess a young quarterback with the potential to remain the face of the franchise for years, a collection of elite defensive talent and a head coach who has already delivered three consecutive playoff appearances.

Their meeting with Jacksonville also carries genuine competitive importance. Rather than simply offering UK supporters the opportunity to watch NFL football in person, Wembley will host a divisional contest between two sides that have repeatedly challenged for postseason places in recent seasons.

For anyone attending NFL London, the Texans therefore provide plenty to watch beyond Stroud alone. Their aggressive defence, dangerous passing game and rivalry with Jacksonville should all contribute to one of the most intriguing fixtures of the 2026 International Series.

Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars hospitality with Eventmasters

The Houston Texans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 18th October 2026 as the NFL returns to London for another major international fixture.

Eventmasters offers official hospitality experiences for Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars, combining the atmosphere and spectacle of an NFL game with premium surroundings at one of the most famous sporting venues in the country.

With American football continuing to attract huge crowds in the capital, the fixture provides an opportunity to experience the colour, entertainment and matchday razzmatazz that has made NFL London one of the standout events on the UK sporting calendar.

Register your interest in Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars hospitality with Eventmasters and watch two AFC South rivals go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium.

Houston Texans FAQs

When were the Houston Texans founded?

The Houston Texans were awarded as an NFL expansion franchise in 1999 before playing their first regular-season game in 2002. They remain the youngest active franchise in the NFL.

Have the Houston Texans ever won the Super Bowl?

No. Houston have reached the playoffs on several occasions and have won multiple AFC South titles, but they have yet to reach a Super Bowl.

Who are the Houston Texans’ biggest current players?

C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Derek Stingley Jr. are among the most prominent players on Houston’s current roster.

When are the Houston Texans playing in London?

The Houston Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 18th October 2026.

Have the Houston Texans played in London before?

Yes. Houston made their first London appearance in 2019, when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-3 at Wembley Stadium.

Can I experience Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers hospitality experiences for Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. Guests can register their interest in packages for the fixture.