Patriots Preview: Week 11 vs Houston Texans

On Sunday the 4-5 New England Patriots travel to the 2-7 Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2020
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston TX
Network: CBS
All-time record: Patriots lead series, 10-2-0 (including playoffs)

When They Last Met…

Patriots 22-28 Texans
December 1, 2019

These teams have only met 12 times since the Texans became an NFL franchise in 2002, the last time was one to forget.

Kai Forbath opened the scoring for the Patriots with a 23-yard field goal after a long drive into Texans territory stalled. After failing to do anything with the ball on their first drive, Houston punted and Brady went back to work.

That was short-lived however, Brady’s pass intended for N’Keal Harry was intercepted by Bradley Roby, Deshaun Watson then found Duke Johnson who ran it in for a 14-yard score.

The Patriots punted their next possession after failing to get anything going on offense. Houston got the ball back on their own 12-yard line and proceeded to march downfield with Watson capping off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Darren Fells. HT Patriots 3-14 Ravens

The Patriots needed a strong start to the second half of the game, but they didn’t get it, they had to kick away their first two possessions of the half, then Houston added more points to their lead…

Watson stepped up in the pocket with some great pass protection and launched a 35-yard missile to Kenny Stills for the touchdown. A methodical drive downfield by Brady finished by a 13-yard James White receiving touchdown kept their chances alive, well, at least until Forbaith missed the extra point.

Salt was applied to New England wounds when DeAndre Hopkins took the ball on a trick play and somehow completed a backward shovel-pass to Watson for the score.

Refusing to give up, Brady led the team to two unanswered touchdowns to White and Edelman, but it wasn’t enough to claw back the deficit. Final Patriots 22-28 Texans

Performances
NE
QB Tom Brady 24/47 – 326 YDS – 3 TD – 1 INT
RB James White – 14 RUSH ATT – 79 YDS – 8/11 – 98 YDS – 2 TD
WR Julian Edelman – 6/11 – 106 YDS – 1 TD
BAL
QB Deshaun Watson 18/25 – 234 YDS – 3 TD – REC 1/1 – 6 YDS – 1 TD
WR Kenny Still – 3/4 – 61 YDS – 1 TD
CB Bradley Roby – 1 SACK – 1 INT –

Game Highlights

How The Patriots Win

First and foremost, the Patriots need to continue to be productive on offense. Even in the terrible weather conditions against Baltimore, we saw some inspiring productiveness at times, and it has to continue.

Limiting Watson’s running capabilities is next, forcing Watson to throw and make plays through the air is a key I think can win them the game. Now, although Hopkins is no longer in their arsenal, Watson still has targets like Kenny Stills, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb to cause the Pats secondary problems, so they’ll have to be on their game.

Houston is ranked last in the NFL for rushing yards allowed by an opponent this season, they average 167 yards per game currently, and given how well the Patriots have been running it of late, expect that to continue.

Finally, continue to play smart football, if they do, they win.

TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-0 Turnovers
-Restricting Watson
-Locking down Texans targets
-Big run game
-Play smart football

Player Spotlight – J.C. Jackson

J.C. Jackson, or going by his current alias, MR INT, following his fifth straight game with an interception against Baltimore.

The former UDFA out of Maryland is one of the league’s fastest rising stars and now a Pro Bowl candidate for the team this year. He’s only half-way through his third season in the league, but he’s already amassed 14 interceptions and beginning to turn heads in the process.

With Stephon Gilmore potentially moving on to pastures new in the off-season, Jackson’s recent performances have shown that he belongs as a star player in this league. Another plus is that he’s only 25, it’s expected that he’ll be seeking a hefty contract in the near future, and if Gilmore goes, it makes that a real possibility Jackson will be a Patriot long-term.

Familiar Faces

Former Patriots

Players
WR Brandon Cooks (2017)
CB Keion Crossen (2018)
Coaching/Backroom Staff
Interim HC Romeo Crennel (DC/DL 2001-2004) (DLC 1993-96)
VP of Football Ops Jack Easterby (2013-18)
Offensive Consultant Carl Smith Ast. Head Coach/QBC (1997), Tight Ends Coach (1998-99)

Former Texans

Players
QB Brian Hoyer (2015)
LB John Simon (2014-16)
TE Jordan Thomas – (2018-19)
Coaching Staff
QBC Jedd Fisch (WRC 2002-03)

Broken Records

Here’s some milestones that could be surpassed on Sunday.

CB J.C. Jackson
-Jackson heads into Week 11 with five straight games with interceptions, the first player since 2003 to achieve this feat. The NFL record is eight straight games with interceptions.
QB Cam Newton
With one more rushing touchdown this season, Newton will become the 11th Patriot to rush for double-digit TDs in a single season.
RB James White
-Needs two touchdown receptions to tie Larry Garron (26) as the most all-time in Patriots history for touchdown receptions by a running back.
S Devin McCourty
With his next interception, Devin McCourty (28) will tie Ron Hall, Roland James, and Fred Marion for third all-time in Patriots history with 29 career
interceptions.

Score Prediction: Patriots 24-13 Texans

I have a better feel for the team this week heading into Houston. Whilst the weather helped the Pats along their way last week, they still overcame one of the best teams in the league, I back them beating one of the worst this week. Pats by 11. LFG.