‘Built for things like this’

Houston – A little deception was an effective strategy for the Texans the last time they hosted a Sunday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

After a handoff to running back Duke Johnson, a second handoff to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and an optional throw to quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans were in the end zone for a touchdown.

Fast forward to Sunday night and the Texans are back in a nationally televised game as they host the Chicago Bears and rookie quarterback and first overall pick Caleb Williams at NRG Stadium.

The reigning AFC South champions are off to a 1-0 start to the season following a road win over the Indianapolis Colts and are seven-point favorites.

“I’m definitely ready,” Texans wide receiver Tank Dell said. “I’m ready for these types of situations. I’m ready for these types of games. I’m ready, that’s all I can say.”

It’s a sign of the growth of the Texans, who have a franchise-record six national games with four in prime time this season after pulling off a dramatic turnaround to finish 11-8 in coach DeMeco Ryan’s first season that included an AFC wild-card playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.

“Wherever we play, whoever we play, we’re excited to get another chance to get better and play football,” Ryans said. “So we know our fans are going to be excited to get a chance to play here in our home stadium on Sunday night. Our players are excited about it. We need our stadium to be packed on Sunday night. Show up, be loud, be rowdy. We need them to have a true home-field advantage so they can communicate on offense and be as loud as possible.”

A year ago, the Texans weren’t even an afterthought when NFL decision-makers were planning the most prestigious games on the regular-season schedule.

This year, there will be an afternoon game on Christmas Day on Netflix against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans didn’t have a primetime game last year, except for a night game against the Colts that clinched the division title and a playoff spot.

This is the first of two Sunday night NBC games for the Texans, who won a playoff game last season against the Cleveland Browns, including a Nov. 10 home game against the Detroit Lions. The Texans travel to face the New York Jets and former NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers in an Amazon Prime Thursday night game on Oct. 31 against the New York Jets. And they’ll play the visiting Dallas Cowboys in a Monday night game in a battle for who is the best NFL team in Texas.

“Your family is watching you, so you have to dress for the name on the back of your jersey,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “Dress for yourself, dress for your city, just have fun and enjoy every moment. I feel like that’s what we’re about to do. It can’t get any bigger than that.”

The Texans invested heavily in their roster, including trades for Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and a two-year, $51 million deal for Pro Bowl defensive end and Morton Ranch graduate Danielle Hunter.

Diggs caught two touchdowns against the Colts. Mixon rushed for 159 yards and a score on a career-high 30 carries in Indianapolis.

The Texans plan to have the roof of NRG Stadium open for this night football game. The stadium was damaged by Hurricane Beryl and is nearly repaired, with plans to fully repair it before the Week 4 home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said of the prime-time excitement.

Williams is an excellent running back who had an anemic debut as a passer, passing for an NFL-low 93 yards in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans have reviewed video of USC’s Williams to prepare for this matchup against the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“We’ve all gone back a little bit to college to see the things he did well there,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “I think the world is close to elite as far as throwing from the pocket. Really, really good, arm talent all day long. He’s got a real talent for making real plays and throwing from the pocket.”

The Texans allowed a lot of deep balls against the Colts with multiple breakdowns in coverage.

“What I see on offense is starting with the quarterback, Caleb, I think he’s a really exciting player to watch, he’s got a strong arm, he can move around the pocket and throw,” Ryans said. “You have to be aware of the coverage because he’s going to find someone down the field. We have to be attentive to the details when it comes to him moving around the pocket. We have to make sure we’re as sticky as possible in coverage against them.”

A year ago, the Houston Texans weren’t even an afterthought when NFL decision-makers were planning the most prestigious part of their schedule.

It’s a moment for the franchise, which has all-new uniforms, including white-on-white jerseys and pants for this game.

The Texans, led by Pro Bowl quarterback CJ Stroud, have improved significantly.

“I’ll always be myself,” Stroud said. “I don’t really get into the ruckus with the visiting crowd or the home crowd. I don’t really care. I just try to execute and play my game, do what I need to do at a high level. Hopefully, because it’s a night game, people will come a little early.

“Maybe because of the Houston traffic, people are a little late. And then on offense, if they could be a little bit quieter, that would help. Especially when we’re going fast, it’s hard for guys to hear me. So I think we can be a little bit better with that. But hey, we love the energy.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com