Historical Moments:
1997-2001: When the Houston Oilers departed for the Music City in 1997, most thought the NFL would never return. However,
Bob McNair a wealthy oilman wanted to bring the NFL back to Houston, and
when his efforts to bring the NHL to Houston failed in 1997, he stepped up his
efforts for bringing back pro-football. McNair and his business partner Chuck
Watson put together a plane with the officials from the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo (HLS&R) say they will push for the building of a retractable roof stadium
that the Rodeo will share with an NFL team, as opposed to renovating the Astrodome.
However, despite the organized efforts the NFL wanted to expand to Los
Angeles. However, the politicians in LA could not agree on what plan to go with,
and the NFL who was so impressed with Houston's plan started to consider putting
the 32nd team in Houston. In March of 1999 the NFL gave the city of LA a
6-month deadline to get their plans together. When the Los Angeles officials failed
to get an organized plan together, the NFL decided to award Bob McNair and
Houston the 32nd team that would begin play in 2002.
2002: The NFL returned to Houston as the expansion Texans faced the Dallas Cowboys in a
Lone Star State showdown in Primetime on September 8th at Reliant Stadium the
first stadium with a retractable roof in the NFL. It would be a magical night for
the Texans and they became just the second expansion team since 1960 to win
their very first game as the stunned the Cowboys 19-10 with Billy Miller scoring
the first TD in franchise history. After the jubilation of their first came the
Texans came back to earth losing 5 straight before beating the Jacksonville
Jaguars 21-19 on October 27th for their first ever road victory. After 3 straight
losses the Texans would get their 3rd win by stunning the playoff bound New
York Giants 16-14 at Reliant Stadium. After a 19-3 loss on the road to the Indianapolis
Colts the Texans got their 4th and final win by stunning the NFC North
Champion Pittsburgh Steelers on the road 24-6 as Aaron Glenn returned 2 interceptions
for Touchdowns as the Texans won despite being held to 46 yards total offense.
The Texans would go on to lose their final 4 games to finish with a 4-12
record. Setting the tone for the Texans resiliency and toughness was QB David
Carr who took every snap despite being sacked a NFL record 76 times.
2003: The Texans got their second season started in grand style as they stunned the Miami
Dolphins in the first game of the season on the road 21-20, as they were listed
as 2 Touchdown underdogs. After losing their next 2 games the Texans faced
the prospect of a 1-3 start trailing the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17 in the final
seconds at Reliant Stadium. After 3 failed attempts at the goaline, Coach Dom
Capers decided to roll the dice going for the win instead of the game tying FG.
The gamble would pay off as QB David Carr snuck the ball past the goaline on
the games final play to give the Texans a dramatic 24-20 win. After losing their
next 3 games the Texans played the roll of bad hosts for eventual NFC Champion
beating the Carolina Panthers 14-10. After splitting the next 2 games the Texans
gave the eventual Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots all they could handle
as they led most of the way before the Patriots tied the game in the final
minute. The Patriots would go on to win the game 23-20 in overtime, but they
walked away knowing like the Panthers their Super Bowl Opponents at Reliant Field
were no pushovers. A week later the Texans would with 5 game of the season over
the Atlanta Falcons 17-13. However numerous injuries would take their toll
as they would not win another game the rest of the way finishing with a 5-11 record.
2004: The Texans would get off to a slow start in their 3rd season, as they lost their
first 2 games. Looking at 0-3 in the face the Texans rallied to beat the Kansas
City Chiefs on the road 24-21 as Kris Benson nailed a 49-yard FG with 7 seconds
remaining. After beating the Oakland Raiders the following week, the Texans rallied
to score 21 points in the 4th Quarter to force overtime against the Minnesota
Vikings. However, the Vikings would win in OT 34-28. The Texans would rebound
off the overtime loss to win their next 2 and peak over .500 at 4-3, but 3
straight losses would essentially end the Texans playoff hopes. The Texans would
eventually fall to 5-8, before making run last run at respectability with 2
straight wins. However, with a shot at .500 the Texans lost their season finale
to the struggling Cleveland Browns 22-14 as they settled for 7-9.
2005: When you are an expansion team you expect to take your lumps in the first few seasons,
and by year four you hope to be ready to make a step forward. Unfortunately
for the Texans year four would see the team take a major step backwards as they
played worse then any of their first three seasons. The trouble started right
from the beginning of the season as the Texans were hammered by the Buffalo
Bills 22-7. A week later it was not ay better in the home opener as they were beaten
by the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-7. In fact the Texans would start out losing
each of their first 6 games, as David Carr resembled a punching bag as he was
sacked a NFL high 68 times on his way to a disappointing 2,488-yard season with
14 TD and 11 Interceptions. After earning their first win over the Cleveland
Browns 19-16, the Texans struggles continued as they lost another 6 in a row including
a painful overtime loss to the St. Louis Rams, in which they blew a 10-point
lead in the final 30 seconds. The Texans would go on to finish the season
with a dreadful 2-14 record, leading to the dismissal of Coach Dom Capers. After
the horrendous season Texans fans became excited at the prospect of the draft
some Texas fans wanted them to draft local hero Vince Young who had led the Longhorns
to a dramatic Rose Bowl victory and a National Championship, while other
more prudently thought they should go after Heisman Winner Reggie Bush, who
was a Running Back with potential labeled unlimited. However, the Texans would
stun and disappoint their fans again by selecting DE Mario Williams of NC State.
2006: In year five the Texans were suddenly starting all over again with a new coach in
Gary Kubiak, as they started the season with three straight losses, before holding
on to a 17-15 win over the Miami Dolphins. After a humbling 34-6 loss on the
road to the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans returned home and beat the Jacksonville
Jaguars, as they swept through the sunshine state beating the Jaguars twice
and the Dolphins once. However, at 3-6 it did not do the Texans much good, as Reggie
Bush was helping to revitalize the New Orleans Saints leading them to a NFC
Championship Game, while Vince Young was on his way to winning a Offensive Rookie
of the Year for the Tennessee Titans, when Young and the Titans came to Houston
it was like throwing gasoline on the fans simmering frustration as he won
the game 26-20 on a 39-yard touchdown run in overtime. As first round pick Mario
Williams had a disappointing rookie season with 47 tackles. Not all rookies
disappointed however, as second round pick DeMarco Ryans led the Texans with 156
tackles to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Texans would end the season
with two straight wins including a dramatic 27-24 win over the eventual Super
Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, but at 6-10 the Texans finished in last place
again. Another disappointing player was QB David Carr who once again had more
interceptions that Touchdowns, and was released following the season as the
Texans acquired Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons.
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