TEXANS 2017 STATISTICS

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV: CBS.

Danny Sheridan’s line: Patriots by 6 ⁄2

1

Texans’ keys to victory

Houston’s front seven has every means to befuddle New England’s offense. The Texans can use J.J. Watt and company to rattle Tom Brady, who will be without WR Julian Edelman in Week 1 due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. On the flip side, QB Deshaun Watson was a nightmare for the Patriots last season. His bigplay abilities with his arm and legs made the Texans offense lethal at Gillette Stadium in 2017, when he passed for 301 yards and the team ran for 125 in a 36-33 loss.

Patriots’ keys to victory

They must find a way to get a rhythm in the short passing game so Brady can get rid of the ball before the Texans’ pass rushers get pressure. New England might look to TE Rob Gronkowski and RB James White to jump-start an efficient offensive effort. But receivers Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett also need to exploit the Texans’ lack of talent at cornerback. On defense, the Patriots need to contain Watson as a runner and hope their secondary holds up better than it did in a 41-33 Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.

Who wins?

The Patriots will experience growing pains during the game. And the Texans might even look like the better team. But New England has made a habit of beating Bill O’Brien at home.

Patriots, 27-24 Passing

Texans Opp. Rushing Texans Opp. Scoring Texans Opp. Att

525 501 Att. 448 1842 4.1 49 440 1747 4.0 75

TD Rsh Rec Ret 40 48 Cmp

299 321 Yds 8 14 Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Yds

3278 57 3799 64.1 Avg Lng TD 28 30 Texans Patriots 0 1 Cmp% 8 14 Pts 338 436 Opp. Opp. Sept. 9.. at New England.. 1 Sept. 16... at Tennessee... 1 Sept. 23 New York Giants 1 Sept. 30 . at Indianapolis . 1 Oct. 7 ......... Dallas ......... 8:20 Oct. 14 ......... Buffalo ......... 1 Oct. 21 .. at Jacksonville .. 1 Oct. 25 ........ Miami ........ 8:20 Nov. 4 ..... at Denver ..... 4:05 Nov. 11 .............. BYE .............. Nov. 18 ..at Washington .. 1 Nov. 26... Tennessee ...8:15 Dec. 2 ........ Cleveland ........ 1 Dec. 9 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 15... at N.Y. Jets ...TBD Dec. 23 .. at Philadelphia .. 1 Dec. 30 ..... Jacksonville ..... 1 Yds/ Att TD

6.2 28 7.6 30 Receiving

Texans Opp.

Kicking

Texans Opp. Int Lng Sack/ Lost

17 72 54/366 82.8 11 94 32/200 99.5 Rec. Yds Avg Lng TD

32/35 20/25 45/46 33/35

Texans

Total First Downs Rushing

3rd Down Pct. 4th Down/Att. 4th Down Pct. Penalties/Yards Rtg

92 144 Opp.