John McClain, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, is in his 48th year of covering the NFL in Houston, including 45 seasons at the Houston Chronicle.
Of all the things the Texans accomplished at Foxboro, the one with historical significance meant the most: They won at Gillette Stadium for the first time in franchise history. After suffering seven consecutive losses to Bill Belichick-coached teams, the Texans reversed the Foxboro curse in impressive fashion.
There was a lot to like about the Texans' 41-21 victory at New England on Sunday, but they don't have to be told they'll need to play better – "Clean up some things," as Head Coach DeMeco Ryans put it – if they want to defeat the Packers at Lambeau Field in their next game.
After roughing up the Patriots with five touchdowns, two field goals and four takeaways, the Texans return to Houston with a three-game winning streak, a 5-1 record and a two-game lead over the Colts in the AFC South. That 5-1 record ties Gary Kubiak's 2012 team for the best start in team history.
The last time they won a regular-season game by at least 20 points was on New Year's Eve when they dismembered the Titans 26-3. The last time they scored at least 40 points in a regular season game was 2021 when they pulverized the Chargers 41-29 at NRG Stadium.
The Texans started the New England game red hot, leading 14-0 in the first quarter after two C.J. Stroud touchdown passes. The offense struggled in the second quarter, and the Texans went into halftime with a 14-7 lead. They stretched their advantage to 27-14 in the third quarter and scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
"I felt during that second quarter, we kind of took our foot off the gas, guys kind of relaxed, and we had to flip our mindset and understand this is the NFL (and) guys aren't laying down," Ryans said. "They're (Patriots) coming back and making adjustments.
"We had to make sure we got back to what we said we were going to do, and that's the only thing that matters – us executing. We kind of fell into a lull there and allowed them to get points."
During their fast start and fast finish that included beginning five drives in New England territory and reaching the Patriots' end of the field eight times, the Texans were impressive on both sides of the ball. The middle of the contest in which they struggled to capitalize on opportunities was the disappointing part.
As usual, Stroud was the orchestrator. He threw three touchdown passes and compiled a 100.5 rating playing without Nico Collins. Tank Dell caught seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs had six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.
"C.J. was very efficient," Ryans said. "He was poised, under control, never gets too high or too low. When he does make a mistake, he understands instantly, and he's able to fix it. For him to get three touchdown (passes) was big, and he didn't do it by himself. Our O-line did a good job of protecting.
"It wasn't surprising to see Stef and Tank make the plays. They maximized their opportunities (because) they're playmakers."
Stroud threw an interception in the end zone. He tried to find Dalton Schultz in the back of the end zone, but safety Marte Mapu deflected the pass to cornerback Marcus Jones.
The most impressive thing about the offense was the return of Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce, who helped the Texans generate 192 yards rushing, their most since accumulating 213 in their opening victory at Indianapolis.
Mixon and Pierce were a devastating one-two punch running behind a line that deserves praise against a New England defense that entered the game 13th against the run, allowing 118 yards a game. Mixon carried 13 times for 102 yards (7.8 average) and a touchdown. His performance included a 59-yard run. He also caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Playing for the first time since the Indianapolis game, Pierce came off the bench for eight carries and 76 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run that was the second-longest run of his career.
"Those guys bring play-making ability," Ryans said. "When your backs are special, they get more than what's blocked for, and that's what you saw today with the two big explosive runs. They're capable of giving us the extra, and for both guys to get touchdowns was big."
Mixon has been healthy for two games, and he's reached triple digits both times – 159 against the Colts and 102 against the Patriots.
"You see the energy he brings – it's just different," Ryans said. "He's one of the best competitors I've been around. His passion for the game, his will to play injured, to gut it out and still have an outstanding performance just shows who Joe is. His presence just uplifts our entire time.
"I was very pleased with the run game and the blocking and how they got after it."
Defensively, the Texans had gone three consecutive games without a takeaway, and they were minus-3 in turnover differential. Then they forced four against rookie quarterback Drake Maye making his first start. The offense converted the turnovers into 17 points. They came into the game with a league-worst three points after turnovers.
"One thing we pride ourselves on is taking the football defensively, and that was huge, seeing the energy it provided our team," Ryans said. "It's not just getting the takeaways, it's about the offense being able to capitalize and score points off those takeaways. That's where the takeaways mean a lot more."
IRON SHARPENS IRON is back | Ep 4
After a loss in Minnesota, the Houston Texans reeled off two huge home wins. We've got special fieldside shots of the action vs the Jaguars and the Bills, and of course we talk to Ka'imi Fairbairn after his game-winning field goal last weekend. IRON SHARPENS IRON is back.
Will Anderson Jr. sacked Maye three times and Danielle Hunter got to him once. The defense knocked Maye down eight times and recorded eight tackles for loss.
"Massive game for Will," Ryans said. "Loved his energy from start to finish. He's getting better every week, and this is his best game by far."
Maye still managed to throw for 243 yards and three touchdowns in an impressive debut for a team that entered the game with a four-game losing streak and ranked 31st in offense and 32nd in passing.
In two games against rookie quarterbacks, including Chicago's Caleb Williams in Week 2, the Texas registered 11 sacks – 4.5 by Anderson and 2.5 by Hunter.
The defense limited the Patriots to 82 yards rushing, and Maye got 38 of those yards when he couldn't locate a receiver. The backs carried 21 times for 44 yards, a 2.1 average. New England could have used its leading rusher Rhamondre Stevenson, who was out with an injury.
Ryans knows his team has yet to play its best game in all three areas.
"It's never easy, and I never take it for granted," he said. "This is a big one for us, our first time winning here, so it's a special game for everyone.
"Every time we play it's about winning (and) it doesn't matter how you get it done – just finish with a win."
And as the Texans prepare for their next road game against the Packers, they should get a lot of satisfaction knowing no team in the NFL has more victories than they do.
