Tag: Texans vs. Patriots 2024

All 32 NFL teams (including the Texans) ranked by FPI ratings

Here’s where all 32 teams stand entering Week 7, including the Houston Texans, per the ESPN FPI ranking system.

Heading into what could be the matchup of Week 7, the Houston Texans (5-1) currently have a -2.8 Football Power Index (FPI) rating from ESPN.com, which currently ranks ninth in the NFL.

That number could expand if Houston secures a victory over the Green Bay Packers (4-2) on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. Currently, Green Bay ranks 6th on the FPI rating with a -4.6.

According to ESPN’s ranking system, FPI represents “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. The FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule.”

Here’s a look at how all 32 teams stack up based on FPI going into Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season.

  1. Detroit Lions (4-1): 6.8
  2. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): 6.0
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0): 5.8
  4. San Francisco 49ers (3-3): 4.8
  5. Buffalo Bills (4-2): 4.6
  6. Green Bay Packers (4-2): 4.4
  7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2): 2.5
  8. Minnesota Vikings (5-0): 2.4
  9. Houston Texans (5-1): 2.1
  10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2): 1.8
  11. New York Jets (2-4): 1.6
  12. Washington Commanders (4-2): 1.3
  13. Chicago Bears (4-2): 1.3
  14. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4): 1.2
  15. Atlanta Falcons (4-2): 0.9
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2): 0.6
  17. Indianapolis Colts (3-3): 0.2
  18. Los Angeles Rams (1-4): -0.1
  19. Arizona Cardinals (2-4): -0.6
  20. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2): -0.6
  21. Dallas Cowboys (3-3): -1.1
  22. Seattle Seahawks (3-3): -1.4
  23. Tennessee Titans (1-4): -3.0
  24. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5): -3.0
  25. Denver Broncos (3-3): -3.8
  26. New York Giants (2-4): -3.8
  27. Cleveland Browns (1-5): -4.2
  28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4): -4.3
  29. New Orleans Saints (2-4): -5.2
  30. Carolina Panthers (1-5): -6.9
  31. Miami Dolphins (2-3): -8.0
  32. New England Patriots (1-5): -9.8

The Texans are up one spot from last week after securing a 41-21 victory over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. While it could be challenging to surpass multiple teams inside the top five, switching spots with Green Bay isn’t that far-fetched, depending on the point totals.

Green Bay enters Sunday as a 2.5-point home favorite. The game will be televised on CBS.

Recap: Texans RB Joe Mixon scores 2 TDs in blowout win over Patriots

The Houston Texans improved to 5-1 for the first time since 2012 after securing a 20-point win over the New England Patriots

How do you like them apples?

Joe Mixon returned to his Pro Bowl form with a 102-yard rushing performance while scoring two touchdowns as the Houston Texans bested the New England Patriots, 41-21, at Gillette Stadium.

With the win, the Texans join the 2012 roster as the only team in franchise history to begin the season 5-1. That season, Houston started 11-1 before securing a division title at 12-4.

Fully healthy, the Texans could surpass the marker with 13 wins.

Mixon, who missed three games with an ankle injury, proved he was back at full capacity during the second quarter when he broke free for a 57-yard gain. The former Bengals star found his way into the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud.

https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1845537100512334065

Stroud might have thrown an interception during the second quarter, but he also threw three touchdown passes to coast out to a 21-7 lead entering the third quarter.

Stefon Diggs took over as the new No. 1 target with Nico Collins on the injured reserve, hauling in a team-leading six catches for 77 yards and a score.

Tank Dell, who last season served as Houston’s No. 2 weapon during his season, posted a season-high seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Patriots offense finally found life behind Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s NFL draft. After failing to score more than 20 points in four of their first five games, New England scored a season-high 21 points thanks to three touchdown passes from the North Carolina product.

Maye finished 20 of 33 for 243 yards and rushed 38.  He was intercepted twice, sacked four times and caught up a fumble that led to Diggs’ touchdown.

Houston’s secondary will need work, but the pass rush was potent. Will Anderson Jr. recorded three sacks, improving his season total to 5.5. Pro Bowl counterpart Danielle Hunter striped-sacked Maye during the opening drive of the third quarter, leading to a 14-point swing in favor of Houston.

Pressure from the front seven led to success on the back end. Maye overthrew DeMario Douglas and was intercepted by Calen Bullock. Later on, Anderson popped a pass in the air, which landed in the arms of Eric Murray.
Mixon wasn’t the only running back making highlight plays in his return.

Dameon Pierce, who missed four games with a hamstring injury, ripped off a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to extend Houston’s lead to 20.

Peirce finished with 76 yards and averaged 9.5 yards per run.

The Texans remain on the road next week as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers at noon CT.

Watch: Texans WR Stefon Diggs shows off No. 1 mentality with TD vs. Patriots

Stefon Diggs is picking up the pace as the Houston Texans top new target with Nico Collins sidelined.

Well, that was fast.

Two plays after Danielle Hunter’s strip-sack against New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, the Houston Texans extended their lead to 14 with a C.J. Stroud 10-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs.

Diggs, who currently leads Houston in receptions (5) and receiving yards (65), is expected to take over as the new No. 1 option with Nico Collins on the injured reserve. For the third game, he’ll likely finish as the team leader in both catches and receiving yards.

Stroud’s ugly interception is the one blemish on what has been a positive day for the offense in Foxborough. He’s 16-of-24 for 158 yards and three touchdown passes entering the fourth quarter.

All three of Stroud’s touchdown passes have come against man coverage so far. Tank Dell beat Jonathan Jones for a 2-yard score on the opening drive. Joe Mixon’s flat route secured a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Diggs, best known for his superior route-running skills, beat second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez with a cut inside.

With a win on Sunday, Houston would improve to 5-1, marking its best start since 2012.

Watch: Texans DE Danielle Hunter pulverizes Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye

Danielle Hunter destroyed Drake Maye to give back the ball to the Houston Texans.

After losing momentum at the end of the first half, the Houston Texans regained it three plays into the third quarter.

Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter defeated his block and unloaded on New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, forcing a fumble that eventually would be recovered by Mario Edwards Jr.

The Texans would extend their 14-7 lead with a 3-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Stefon Diggs.

https://twitter.com/TexansFanBattle/status/1845537871274414165

Hunter recorded his first sack since Week 2’s win against the Chicago Bears. Houston has three sacks against New England, with Will Anderson Jr. providing the other pair in the first quarter.

Hunter has 2.5 sacks for Houston this season after signing a two-year, $49 million contract with the team in free agency. He replaced Jonathan Greenard, who signed on to Hunter’s replacement with the Minnesota Vikings.

The strip sack was the second turnover, Houston created in New England territory.

The first was Calen Bullock’s interception, which resulted in zero points after Kai’imi Fairbairn had a rare missed field goal.

With a win, Houston would start off the season 5-1, marking its best record since 2012.

Texans receive update on DL Kurt Hinish before Patriots game

Kurt Hinish will need another week before making his debut for the Houston Texans.

Kurt Hinish still isn’t ready to make his 2024 debut for the Houston Texans.

The Texans updated their injury report and ruled Hinish out for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots. He will not travel with the team to Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Hinish, a third-year defensive tackle out of Notre Dame, was placed on the injured reserve after training camp with a calf injury. Houston chose to begin his 21-day recovery window last week, but he’s been limited at practice.

Thursday marked the end of the first week that Hinish was a full-time participant in practice, but the Texans are being cautious with his return.

Last season, Hinish finished with 22 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Running back Joe Mixon will travel with the Texans, meaning there’s a strong chance he’ll play tomorrow.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Announcers set for Texans vs. Patriots Week 6 game

The Texans will have two familiar faces on the call Sunday when they take on the Patriots.

The Houston Texans (4-1) will travel eastbound to face off against the New England Patriots (1-4) in a matchup where a new era of football could be underway in Foxborough.

The Patriots are turning to No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye after struggling on offense behind Jacoby Brissett. Internal expectations are for him to remain the franchise signal-caller beyond the three seasons of the Mac Jones reign.

All in all, the Patriots hope Maye is the new Tom Brady.

The Texans’ Week 6 game will air on CBS at noon CT. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) will lead the broadcast with the help of Trent Green (analyst). Evan Washburn (sidelines) will serve as the on-field broadcaster.

Houston is coming off a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills, where Ka’imi Fairbairn needed to secure a 59-yard field goal as time expired to break a 20-20 tie. C.J. Stroud threw for 331 yards and a touchdown pass to Nico Collins but never found consistency in the second half.

The defense held Josh Allen in check, allowing just 131 passing yards and a 49-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman. After an intentional grounding call, Houston forced a three-and-out from Buffalo’s 1-yard line to set up Fairbairn in exceptional position.

Meanwhile, New England has struggled to generate points behind Brissettt. Currently on a four-game losing streak, the Patriots have scored over 13 points over their last three games. They’ve scored 20 or more once this season, but it came in a loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

After a 2-1 start, the Texans have won two straight games in close-call fashion. They might be undefeated at home, but Sunday could be a trap outing with Nico Collins now on the injured reserve.

Houston will look to keep its win streak alive while pushing toward the best start in franchise history since 2012. The Texans will also look to hit the over once more as the favorites after winning last week for the first time while favored.