TEXANS OFFENSE FINISHED DEFENSE'S TAKEAWAYS
It wasn't easy but it was a highly enjoyable afternoon, watching the Texans win for the first time in Foxboro, pounding the Patriots 41-21.
Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce were welcomed back into the lineup, and each had runs that were the longest for the Texans in two years. C.J. Stroud threw three touchdown passes and Will Anderson racked up three sacks and a deflection that produced an Eric Murray pick, one of four takeaways on the afternoon.
TWO TALENTED YOUNG QBs FACE OFF
The thing keeping the game relatively close was rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who threw three touchdown passes, one more than previous starter Jacoby Brissett had thrown on the season.
The Texans scored on their first two possessions on two C.J. Stroud TD passes to Tank Dell and Joe Mixon, making us think this might be a walk. But the Patriots cut the lead in half after a shaky second quarter by Houston, including a missed field goal and a deflected pick in the endzone.
Maye ran a productive two-minute drill - an 84 yard drive, capped by a 40-yard TD to Kayshon Boutte putting some stress into the afternoon.
View the best photos from the Week 6 matchup between the Houston Texans and New England Patriots.
192 RUSHING YARDS!
The third quarter started with a Danielle Hunter strip-sack and subsequent Stroud TD pass to Stefon Diggs. The Texans made a stop after the ensuing drive and knocked in a field goal. Then, after another Austin Hooper fumble off an Azeez Al-Shaair 'Peanut Punch' produced another three-point opportunity.
The Patriots kept punching back. Two more Texans TDs were matched by the Patriots. But it was the boys in Liberty White nursing a three-score margin and riding that into the finish.
Houston gained 192 rushing yards and allowed a 200+ passing yard performance for the first time this season. There were plenty of beauty contest points in this one and still plenty to work on before going to Green Bay next week.
Jordan Love will be the best quarterback the Texans have seen so far this year. And he's coming off a four-touchdown pass afternoon.
Buckle up. It's going to a bumpy ride at Lambeau. But if the Texans play to their potential, they'll be an extremely tough out for anyone.
