3 keys to the New England Patriots beating the Houston Texans
2. Avoid getting beat by the big play on defense
There’s no doubt at this point that the New England Patriots defense is for real.
After steamrolling their first eight opponents of the season, the Patriots D looked as if they may have been exposed as pretenders in an embarrassing 17-point loss against the Baltimore Ravens back in Week 9. Thankfully, the Pats regrouped and rallied during their bye week and came out all the stronger in Weeks 11 and 12, allowing just 10 points to the Philadelphia Eagles and only nine points to the Dallas Cowboys.
As a result, the New England defense leads the NFL in points allowed per game, checking in at 10.6. The next closest team to them in those rankings in the San Francisco 49ers at 14.8, so barring any significant meltdowns over the final five weeks of the season, the Patriots have a very good chance at finishing the regular season No. 1 overall in scoring defense.
A large part of their defensive success can be attributed to the secondary. Led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Stephon Gilmore, New England’s group of defensive backs have been sensational all season long against some of the more athletic and dangerous playmakers in the NFL. They’ve routinely shut down opposing wide receivers and tight ends, forcing quarterbacks and running backs to try and move the chains and put up points against the Patriots’ front seven instead.
New England once again will have a challenge this week when they take on DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, and the Texans’ tight end duo of Jordan Akins and Darren Fells. Fells has the most touchdowns in the league among all tight ends (six), and Akins is every bit as dangerous. That being said, it’s Houston’s trip of wide receivers (Hopkins, Fuller, and Stills) that really cause opposing offenses fits.
Gilmore will no doubt shadow Hopkins all evening; that matchup has tilted in Gilmore’s favor the past two meetings between these teams, and if it happens again on Sunday night, there’s a great chance New England might escape NRG Stadium with the win. Jason McCourty was forced to miss the Dallas game with a groin injury; if he’s healthy enough to play Sunday, he’ll probably take on Fuller. That would leave either Jonathan Jones or J.C. Jackson to cover Stills.
The Patriots love to stay in man coverage this year and trust their secondary to match up individually with the other team’s weapons and shut them down completely. If even one New England defensive back makes a mistake and allows a Houston wideout to break free, it could prove disastrous for the Patriots – as all three Texans WRs have top-end speed and athleticism.