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DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are heading back across the pond to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It is official: DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans will be part of the NFL’s historic efforts during the upcoming 2026 regular season.
There had already been rumblings as parts of the schedule continued to leak in the days leading up to the official release, which is on May 14. The NFL will hold a television special, but many of the matchups will be known by then.
This one certainly stands out for various reasons.
GettyDeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans will renew their rivalry with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
The NFL will play nine games on international soil during the 2026 regular season, the most in the league’s history. The Texans are among the participants, getting confirmation that they would be the road team in a contest against their AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Pack your bags, WE’RE CROSSING THE POND [Union flag emoji]” the Texans posted on X on April 13.
They also shared a “no context” teaser, using former linebacker Brian Cushing in a bearskin.
The Texans will travel the third-most air miles in the NFL this coming season, per Bookies’ Bill Speros on May 13.
“We are proud to return to London and the iconic Wembley Stadium this season,” Texans owner Cal McNair said in a statement, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson in a post on X on May 13. “We look forward to competing against the Jaguars and contributing to the continued global growth of the NFL. As we celebrate 25 seasons of Houston Texans football, this marks another significant moment for our organization and for Texans fans in Houston and around the world.”
Wilson noted that the Texans are 1-1 all-time in international games.
The Texans will be the second of the Jaguars’ two matchups in London (the other will be against the Philadelphia Eagles), with Jacksonville’s social media team posting “B2b in the UK! [Union flag emoji].”
Ryans has never coached the Texans in an international game. However, this will not be the first time that the Texans and Jaguars have faced off in London.
It has worked out in Houston’s favor before.
GettyThe Houston Texans were victorious the last time they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars overseas.
It has been several seasons since the Texans left US soil as a team, snapping a drought for them on a historic slate.
They were victorious last time out.
“Texans will be going to England. First time since 2019,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime posted on X on April 13 in reaction to the news. “Texans won 26-3. Deshaun Watson threw 2 TDs as the Texans went for 216 on the ground.
“Rosters a lot of different. Ka’imi Fairbairn is the only player from the Texans still on the roster from the last London trip.”
The Texans and the Jaguars split their two matchups last season.
“The league has scheduled a record nine international games across four continents and seven nations this season as a wave of global football games has emerged as a key initiative for the NFL,” Wilson wrote on May 13. “That focus on international strategy is underscored by the rapid increase of Mexico and Brazil as two of the largest international markets for the NFL with nearly 40 million fans in each nation.
“The ultimate goal for the league: having all 32 teams playing at least one overseas game annually. This is all part of a longer play by the league.”
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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