Now that the 2026 NFL schedule has been released, we can get to the really fun part of now knowing all of the particulars as to where and when each game will be played. We hit the point spreads of every Houston Texans game yesterday. Now, we can get to the travel portion of our schedule recap.
It’s no secret that Houston Texans fans travel well, and travel in bunches. The Traveling Texans (yes, they have proper noun status) were taking over cities, even during the down times of David Culley and Lovie Smith coaching the team. Now that the team is good again, they are having even more fun and travel in even bigger numbers.
There are nine road trips this coming season, and I’ve been to every American city on the schedule, and been to about half of the stadiums on the schedule. Here is one man’s power rankings on the Texans’ upcoming road trips this season, from the least desirable to the most:
9. Week 3 – at Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept 27
8. Week 5 – at Tennessee, Sunday, October 11
True road games (NOT London road games) will always be at the bottom of the list, because you can go on them every single season. This is meant as no disrespect, to the fine cities of Indianapolis and Nashville. There’s plenty to do in both places. However, they will always be in last place on these rankings until further notice.
7. Week 16 – at Philadelphia, Thursday, December 24
The only good thing about this game is the fact that you would be traveling home on Christmas Day, which is one of the lightest travel days of the year. You might have the whole plane to yourself. Other than that, no thanks! I can’t think of a whole lot of worse ways to spend my Christmas holiday then in the cold weather, with a bunch of drunk Philadelphia fans. These people booed Santa Claus!
6. Week 14 – at Washington, Sunday, December 13
Washington DC in December is not far behind Philadelphia in terms of “the no thank you“ factor. The stadium in Washington is a dump, which is why it’s being replaced. If you haven’t been to Washington DC before, then one silver lining is all of the history and tourist stops that you can make. Other than that, this would just be one more wasted weekend in the cold weather in the northeast.
5. Week 10 – at Cleveland, Sunday, November 15
Now we’re starting to get to games and venues that are intriguing to me! This easily has the best chance of being a road win for the Texans, so if you’re looking for a victory then start booking your flights to Cleveland. You also have three other major factors. First, Cleveland fans are fairly nuts, but in a good way, not a Philadelphia way. Second, you’ll get to boo Deshaun Watson in person Third, you got the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, baby!
4. Week 13 – at Pittsburgh, Sunday, December 6
My wife and I went to a game in Pittsburgh this exact same weekend back in 2024, and it was phenomenal. There are cold weather places you go where you are miserable, and there are cold weather places you go where you forget that it’s cold because you’re having such a good time. That’s Pittsburgh! Great fans, underrated city, and this is the first game in the massive gauntlet of cold-weather games that the schedule maker decided to bury the Texans under in December and January.
3. Week 9 – at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 8
SoFi stadium is definitely on the short list of stadiums that you should want to go to if you’re an NFL fan. I’ve never been, but from what I’ve heard it is the quintessential modern stadium. Also, this is a team the Texans have played the last two seasons, once in the playoffs and on the road in December last year, and the Texans won both times. This game should be pretty spicy for a game against the team who may or may not have fans.
2. Week 17 – at Green Bay,m Monday, January 4
Remember what I said two paragraphs ago about Pittsburgh being one of those cities where it’s cold, but you forget that it’s cold because you’re having such a good time? Multiply that times five and you’re talking about a Green Bay Packers game. I’ve been twice to Lambeau Field, and it’s not an exaggeration when I say that this is the hallowed ground of professional football. Add in the fact that this is a Monday night game in Green Bay, between two dark horse, Super Bowl contenders, and this trip is practically perfect. Also, add in the fact that you have all day Sunday to watch NFL football at the various bars with the locals in Green Bay. Just beautiful!
- Week 6 – vs Jacksonville in London, October 18
Well, here it is! The number one trip on the list. This is the opposite of my rule about road games in the division as road trips. An international trip will always be at the top of the list, knowing full well that most people don’t have the time or perhaps the means to get to London to see a football game. However, that can’t change my rankings. A game at Wembley Stadium would be a bucket listing for me and many others.
