Davis Mills was much better this Sunday than he was last Sunday in Buffalo.
The rookie quarterback completed 21-of-29 passes for 312 yards, with three touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 141.7 and had the Texans either leading or tied with New England until the game's final 15 seconds.
Houston lost 25-22 to the Patriots at NRG Stadium, but Mills showed a lot of improvement one week after he was under center in a 40-0 defeat at Buffalo.
"Davis played well," Head Coach David Culley said. "The thing that Davis did today was Davis protected the football."
Mills was picked off four times in the shutout at Buffalo. Mills and the Texans didn't turn the ball over at all against New England. Further, Mills guided the Texans offense to score the first four times they were on the field. Three of those four possessions ended in touchdowns.
"He was very good in the pocket," Culley said. "He ran our offense very well. He knew going into the game that the most important thing for him to do was be able to protect the football. He did that today."
Despite the improved performance, Mills wanted a victory. He was happy about the improvement but pointed out what could've gone better.
"We made some bigtime plays in the first half," Mills said. "I think we might have left a little on the plate in the second half, but overall, we were close."
Mills and the offense started the game with an 18-play, 79-yard drive that burned 10:06 off the game clock and culminated with an 11-yard dart to TE Antony Auclair. On the next drive, Mills and company found the end zone quickly when he linked up with WR Chris Moore for a 67-yard score. Moore was happy to be part of an improved outcome for the rookie.
"You keep seeing him get better and better," Moore said. "I was just excited to go out there and make some plays for him."
RB David Johnson caught five passes for 46 yards from Mills and liked what he saw from the man under center.
"Davis did great," Johnson said. "Making the right mike calls. Changing the plays when needed. He did a good job."
Mills and the Texans will travel to Indianapolis next weekend for a Week 6 matchup with the Colts.
The Texans will host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 and kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets.
