The 2012 season was the Houston Texans' 11th in the National Football League (NFL) and their seventh under head coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans improved on their 10–6 record from 2011, finishing two games better with a franchise-best 12–4 mark. The Texans won their second consecutive AFC South division title, and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild card round of the playoffs for a second consecutive season. However, they were defeated by the New England Patriots in the divisional round. The Texans scored 416 points in the regular season, which is a team record.
The team would not be able to match that win total until 2025, which also ended with a loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
2012 draft class
Notes From Buccaneers The team traded linebacker DeMeco Ryans to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the Eagles' fourth-round selection (#99 overall; originally acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and swapped third-round selections with the Eagles (the Texans originally held the #88 selection). From the Patriots through the Broncos and the Buccaneers.
Staff
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Carolina Panthers W 26–13 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap 2 San Francisco 49ers W 20–9 2–0 Reliant Stadium Recap 3 at New Orleans Saints L 27–34 2–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 4 Minnesota Vikings W 28–24 3–1 Reliant Stadium Recap
Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 Miami Dolphins W 30–10 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap 2 September 16 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 27–7 2–0 EverBank Field Recap 3 September 23 at Denver Broncos W 31–25 3–0 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap 4 September 30 Tennessee Titans W 38–14 4–0 Reliant Stadium Recap 5 at New York Jets W 23–17 5–0 MetLife Stadium Recap 6 October 14 Green Bay Packers L 24–42 5–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 7 October 21 Baltimore Ravens W 43–13 6–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 8Bye 9 November 4 Buffalo Bills W 21–9 7–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 10 November 11 at Chicago Bears W 13–6 8–1 Soldier Field Recap 11 November 18 Jacksonville Jaguars W 43–37 9–1 Reliant Stadium Recap 12 November 22 at Detroit Lions W 34–31 10–1 Ford Field Recap 13 December 2 at Tennessee Titans W 24–10 11–1 LP Field Recap 14 at New England Patriots L 14–42 11–2 Gillette Stadium Recap 15 December 16 Indianapolis Colts W 29–17 12–2 Reliant Stadium Recap 16 December 23 Minnesota Vikings L 6–23 12–3 Reliant Stadium Recap 17 December 30 at Indianapolis Colts L 16–28 12–4 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Postseason
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap Wild Card Cincinnati Bengals (6) W 19–13 1–0 Reliant Stadium Recap Divisional January 13, 2013 at New England Patriots (2) L 28–41 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
Game summaries
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Houston Texans began their 10th anniversary campaign with lofty expectations, with many columnists picking them to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Despite the lofty expectations, the Texans began the season rather flatly, only managing a field goal on offense against a younger, more inexperienced Dolphins team. Miami played the Texans tough throughout the first half, thanks in part to Reggie Bush's contributions on the ground. However, the game took a stunning turn after the two-minute warning of the first half as the Texans forced three Dolphin turnovers, and quickly converted them into touchdowns to stretch the lead to 24–3 before halftime. The Texans continued to ride their defense to a season opening 30–10 win over Miami. Houston improved to 7–0 all-time against the Miami Dolphins as they started their season 1–0.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Texans entered their first division clash of the season looking to establish their will on the ground. Behind a punishing ground attack with Arian Foster and Ben Tate, as well as an efficient defensive effort led by second year defensive lineman J.J. Watt, the Texans dominated the game with a time of possession of 43:17 on their way to a 27–7 victory in Jacksonville. With the win, the Texans improved to 2–0 for the 3rd straight season. On the first drive, Houston drove 60 yards aided by Tate and took a 3–0 lead on a Shayne Graham 31-yard field goal. The Jaguars mounted a drive into Texan territory but they had to punt from the 44. Both teams went three-and-out on their next drive. After a long pass play, the Texans were at the 1. 2 plays later Arian Foster ran it in from the 1 to make it 10–0. Two drives later Houston scored on an 8-yard run from Ben Tate. At halftime it was 17–0 Texans. In the 3rd quarter, quarterback Matt Schaub threw an interception returned to the Houston 37. Jacksonville scored in just 2 plays on a Td pass from Blaine Gabbert to running back Maurice-Jones Drew. It was 17–7. Then the Texans made a 17 play drive resulting in a 2-yard Ben Tate touchdown to make it 24–7. The Texans would get a field goal to make it 27–7, and that would end the game.
Week 3: at Denver Broncos
The Texans entered this early season matchup coming face-to-face once again with a familiar longtime AFC South division rival in former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who had sat out the 2011 season due to a neck injury. Now back and in Denver, Manning came into the game looking to continue his success over the Houston Texans franchise. However, it was Matt Schaub who helped Houston build an early lead, throwing 4 touchdown passes despite suffering an ear injury where he lost a chunk of his ear. Despite Peyton Manning fueling a Broncos comeback attempt in the 4th quarter, the Texans held on, defeating the Broncos by 6 points. With the win, the Texans improved to 3–0 for the first time ever. This was also their first road victory against Peyton Manning as they improved to 1–0 against Peyton in road games as a Bronco (0–9 vs. Peyton on the road as a Colt). The Broncos sacked Matt Schaub on the 2nd drive of the game making it 2–0. The Broncos drove 48 yards and kicked a 32-yard field goal from Matt Prater to make it 5–0. On the next drive, Schaub threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson to make it 7–5. On their next drive, Houston went on a 98-yard drive resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Schaub to Arian Foster making it 14–5. After a 3-and-out by Denver, Schaub threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Walters to make it 21–5. Denver scored a field goal by Prater to make it 21–8. Denver would get another field goal before the half ended to make it 21–11. To open the second half Houston scored to make it 24–11. Then Schaub threw to Owen Daniels to make it 31–11. But after a Houston fumble, Denver scored its first touchdown of the night to cut it to 31–18. After a punt, Denver scored again to make it 31–25. However Houston stopped a lateral play on the final play of the game to win 31–25 and improve to 3–0. Schaub recorded 4 touchdown passes, his highest total of the season at that point.
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans
Despite Chris Johnson breaking out with his first 100+ yard rushing game for the Titans this season, Tennessee was unable to contain a dynamic Texans team, who recorded two touchdowns on defense en route to blowout the former Oilers 38–14. With the win, the Texans improved to 4–0 for the first time in franchise history. On the opening drive of the game, Matt Schuab threw an 11-yard touchdown to make it 7–0. 2 drives later, Arian Foster scored a touchdown of 4 yards to make it 14–0 at the end of the first. Tennessee got going in the second with a 19-yard touchdown making it 14–7. That was the score at the half. In the third Matt Hasselbeck dropped back but was picked of by Danieal Manning and returned for a touchdown making it 21–7. On Houston's next drive, Schuab threw a 28-yard touchdown to Owen Daniels to make it 28–7 at the end of the third. In the fourth Tennessee fumbled giving it to Houston who took a 31–7 lead. Tennessee then threw an interception returned 63 yards for a touchdown. It was 38–7. Tennessee scored late in the game to make it 38–14 and that was the final score.
Week 5: at New York Jets
Many expected the Texans to roll through the seemingly dismal Jets team in their first primetime appearance of the season. Even though the Texans never trailed in the game, the Jets kept pace throughout, thanks in large part to a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by the Jets' Joe McKnight. The Texans were able to keep the Jets at bay just enough to earn a hard-fought win on the road, and improve to 5–0, remaining one of only two teams undefeated in the NFL to this point along with the Atlanta Falcons. This was also the first time the Texans have ever defeated the New York Jets in their 11-year history, making them 1–5 against the Jets overall and improving their regular season record to 5–0. On the opening drive Houston scored to take a 7–0 lead. Houston got the ball but was intercepted at their own 35. Mark Sanchez threw a touchdown to Josh Cumberland to make it 7–7. In the second, Arian Foster scored to make it 14–7. A Shayne Graham field goal made it 17–7 at the half. Houston would kick another field goal to make it 20–7. The ensuing kickoff was returned by Joe McKnight 100 yards to make it 20–14. Another Houston field goal made it 23–14. The Jets would get a field goal before the game ended to end it 23–17 Houston. The Texans improved to 5–0.
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Texans came into their first ever appearance on Sunday Night Football facing playoff favorites Green Bay, who had shockingly started the season 2–3, one of those losses ending in controversy. And coming off another disappointing loss to Indianapolis the week before, the Green Bay Packers took out all of their early season frustrations out on the Texans at Reliant Stadium, and at the same time, reestablished themselves as the team to beat in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers tore up the Texans defense with 6 touchdown passes, and the Packers as the Texans dropped to 5–1 and 0–1 on Sunday Night Football. On the second drive of the game, Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown to Jordy Nelson to make it 7–0. A few drives later it was 14–0 on a Rodgers to Jones touchdown. Houston scored 1 drive later on an Arian Foster touchdown run to make it 14–7. Then Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson to make it 21–7. Before the half ended, Houston got a field goal to make it 21–10 at the half. Mason Crosby made a field goal but was nullified by Houston being offsides. Rodgers then hit Nelson to make it 28–10. Foster scored again to make it 28–17. On the next drive, Rodgers found Tom Crabtree to make it 35–17. After a Texan interception, Rodgers found James Jones again to make it 42–17. Houston scored before the buzzer to have the final score 42–24.
Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens Battle Red Day