Opinion
3 min read

Can the Houston Texans Turn the Tide Against the New England Patriots?

The Houston Texans are gearing up for a pivotal clash against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, a matchup that promises to test their resilience and strategic acumen. After a series of performances that have seen them both triumph and falter, this game stands as a crucial juncture in their season.


Houston Texans defensive end Derek Rivers (95) is blocked by New England Patriots guard Andrew Stueber (64) during the second half of an NFL pre-season football game, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

Analyzing Recent Performances


In their recent outing against the Buffalo Bills on October 6, 2024, the Texans showcased their defensive prowess by securing a narrow victory with a score of 23-20. Their defense was particularly impressive, forcing four three-and-outs and demonstrating an ability to pressure the quarterback effectively. However, it wasn't just about defense; C.J. Stroud's arm played a pivotal role as he threw for 331 yards with an impressive completion rate of 74 percent.


Yet, not all games have painted such a positive picture for Houston. Their encounter with the Minnesota Vikings on September 22 highlighted areas of concern, particularly in offensive line protection and capitalizing on scoring opportunities within the red zone. The Texans were limited to just one touchdown while conceding five sacks—a glaring issue that needs addressing.


New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings, right, reaches for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Looking Ahead: Strategies Against New England


As they prepare to face off against New England Patriots on October 13 at Gillette Stadium at 1:00 PM EDT (broadcasted on CBS), it's clear that adjustments are necessary for success. The key lies in bolstering their offensive line to fend off New England's aggressive pass rush and creating more scoring opportunities through diversified play-calling.


Houston must leverage its defensive strengths further by applying consistent pressure on New England's quarterback while also tightening up its secondary coverage to prevent deep plays downfield—a strategy that has shown promise in previous games but requires more consistency.


Houston Texans defensive tackle Roy Lopez, left, reaches for New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Conclusion


With strategic adjustments and an emphasis on exploiting New England’s vulnerabilities while shoring up their own weaknesses—particularly in protecting Stroud—the Houston Texans stand poised to make this upcoming game not just competitive but winnable.


Fans eager to see if Houston can turn around its fortunes should mark their calendars for October 13th when these two teams collide at Gillette Stadium. The action will be live on CBS at 1:00 PM EDT—an encounter you won’t want to miss as we witness whether the Texans can indeed turn the tide against the Patriots.

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