The 2012 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 11th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 7th under head coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans improved on their 10–6 record from 2011, finishing two games better with a 12-4 mark, which still stands as the best record in team history. 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 2012 Texans hold the record for most points ever scored in the average game of a season for the team with 26 points, including scoring 126 points within the first four games. They scored 26 points or more seven times.
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
Regular season
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Postseason
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.