WHEN THE PATRIOTS RUN TEXANS

In their 19-17 loss to the Bucs, the Patriots set a team record for fewest yards rushing with minus-1. They ran only eight times. Expect them to triple or quadruple the carries against the Texans. New England is 31st in rushing (68.5 yards a game). The Texans are 28th against the run (137) after surrendering 199 in their 40-point loss to the Bills. The Patriots have issues in their offensive line caused by injuries and COVID-19. Damien Harris is the leading rusher with 172 yards on 49 carries and one touchdown. Harris runs behind an outstanding offensive line when all the linemen are healthy and available. The Patriots have two rushing touchdowns. No other back has more than 38 yards rushing. They miss James White, a Texans nemesis who’s on injured reserve. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones isn’t known as a runner, but he’s taken off seven times and gained 27 yards. Obviously, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels wants to run well early to take some pressure off Jones, who’s making his fifth start. The Texans’ run defense has been good at times but got decimated at Buffalo, where it had to worry about the backs and quarterback Josh Allen running the ball.