Texans' Defense Faces Patriots' Offense

This Sunday, the Houston Texans' formidable defense faces the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Predictions suggest that Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk is poised for another impactful game through the air. Kirk's target share may increase due to teammate Nico Collins's concussion protocol status, making him a key offensive threat against a Patriots pass defense that ranked 25th in DVOA during the regular season.

The New England Patriots' offense has shown significant improvement since Week 14, leading the NFL in offensive DVOA. Quarterback Drake Maye's ability to evade the Texans' pass rush with his mobility is expected to be crucial. Maye has demonstrated strong rushing performance in recent games, averaging over 41 yards in his last five outings, which bodes well against a Texans defense that allowed the second-highest yards per rush to opposing quarterbacks.

Furthermore, running back Rhamondre Stevenson is anticipated to play a significant role in the passing game, aided by his strong pass-blocking abilities. Stevenson has consistently exceeded 38.5 receiving yards in his last six appearances, averaging 41 yards per game. He has also been a frequent scorer, finding the end zone in three of his past four games, accumulating six touchdowns.