The New England Patriots are remaining at home this weekend to host the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium for a Week 6 battle.
New England has struggled through their first five games, losing their last four, and their performance has led to a quarterback change for this contest. Jacoby Brissett will be sidelined while third-overall pick Drake Maye will see his first starting action.
Houston has started 4-1 through their first five games despite being outscored 114-102. They have more talent on paper than New England, but there's a chance that the new-look Patriots could catch them by surprise.
Before the two teams hit the field, here are a few things that fans should know heading into the matchup:
Rankings
Points scored per game
- New England: 12.4 (31st)
- Houston: 20.4 (19th)
Points allowed per game
- New England: 20.4 (9th)
- Houston: 22.8 (tied for 17th)
Yards gained per game
- New England: 250.8 (31st)
- Houston: 376.6 (6th)
Yards allowed per game
- New England: 357.0 (24th)
- Houston: 274.2 (4th)
History
The Patriots are 11-3 against the Texans all-time and 9-3 in the regular season. Houston has never won a game in New England in seven attempts.
The last meeting between these two teams took place in 2021 when the Patriots beat the Texans 25-22. Mac Jones hit Hunter Henry for a touchdown, and Damien Harris rushed in another. Nick Folk made four field goals, including two 52-yard attempts.
Injury concerns
New England won't have running back Rhamondre Stevenson for this game.
They also have 11 players questionable - cornerback Isaiah Bolden, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, long snapper Joe Cardona, safety Kyle Dugger, linebacker Anfernee Jennings, cornerback Marcus Jones, center Nick Leverett, wide receiver K.J. Osborn, guard Layden Robinson, linebacker Sione Takitaki and cornerback Marco Wilson.
Houston won't have cornerback Kamari Lasiter, safety Jimmie Ward and wide receiver Robert Woods for this matchup.
They also have three players questionable - running back Joe Mixon, defensive end Derek Barnett and defensive tackle Kurt Hinish.
Connections
- Texans general manager Nick Caserio worked for the Patriots in multiple roles from 2001-20.
- Texans assistant line coach Cole Popovich served in multiple roles for the Patriots from 2015-20.
- Texans defensive pass-game specialist Cory Undlin served as a defensive assistant in 2004.
- Patriots assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler served in the same role for the Texans in 2021.
- Patriots kicker Joey Slye played for the Texans in 2021.
- Patriots cornerback Alex Austin played for the Texans in 2023.
- Texans cornerback Myles Bryant played for the Patriots from 2020-23.
- Texans tight end Dalton Keene played for the Patriots from 2020-21.
- Texans guard Shaq Mason played for the Patriots from 2015-21.
- Texans cornerback D'Angelo Ross played for the Patriots 2019-21.
- Texans running back J.J. Taylor played for the Patriots from 2020-22.
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