(*6*)To accomplish that, the Patriots have to carry their A-game in all three phases; the Texans haven’t misplaced a sport in over two months, and are driving the longest win streak in soccer. Needless to say that it’s going to take the entirety of the New England sport day roster to snap that streak. However, we’ll take an particularly shut eye on the following six gamers.
Advertisement
(*6*)Here are our pivotal Patriots for Sunday afternoon.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
(*6*)New England’s No. 1 working again has rounded properly into kind over the previous few video games, and the workforce will want him to maintain driving excessive on Sunday. The run sport itself might be in for a tricky activity against considered one of the stoutest defenses in all of soccer, however Stevenson himself nonetheless will play a giant and certain multi-faceted function.
(*6*)For starters, he’ll lead off a working again rotation additionally that includes second-round draft decide TreVeyon Henderson. The rookie may even be necessary given his dynamic skillset, however Stevenson out-snapping Henderson wouldn’t be a shock for 2 causes: he additionally has proven that he is usually a issue as a receiver, which ought to develop into necessary given Houston’s relative inconsistency against the display sport this 12 months, whereas additionally being considered one of the finest pass-protecting backs in the NFL.
Advertisement
(*6*)Our eyes may even be on the veteran for one more purpose, although. With snowy situations in the forecast, ball safety might be essential. Stevenson has regarded good in that space for many of the season and has gone fumble-free in 10 straight video games, however he nonetheless put the ball on the floor 3 times earlier in the 12 months and has a little bit of a historical past.
WR Kayshon Boutte
(*6*)Kayshon Boutte has some fond reminiscences of enjoying the Texans, catching his first profession landing over All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. the final time the two confronted off in Week 6 of the 2024 season. Just like then, Boutte and Stingley Jr. going at one another will probably occur on a number of events, however the third-year wideout may nonetheless be closely concerned in the sport plan regardless of the high quality of his opposition.
(*6*)Boutte, in any case, is the Patriots’ most consistently-employed deep-field receiver. The Texans protection, in the meantime, has been pretty pedestrian at stopping explosive passing performs (not less than in contrast to most of its statistical rankings): Houston has surrendered 19 completions of 30 or extra yards this season, which quantities to a mean of multiple per sport.
Advertisement
(*6*)Drake Maye will take his pictures, and in that case Boutte — who’s averaging 16.7 yards per catch this season and has hauled in 4 passes of greater than 30 yards — will probably be a frequent goal.
TE Hunter Henry
(*6*)All issues thought of, workforce captain Hunter Henry is likely to be the Patriots’ most dependable talent place participant this 12 months. Playing the finest soccer of his profession, he has caught 63 passes for 832 yards to this point and located the finish zone a team-leading eight occasions as a receiver, together with as soon as final week versus the Chargers.
(*6*)Henry’s receiving prowess will once more be vital on Sunday against the Texans, significantly as a participant able to attacking the center of the area and down the seams. Likewise, his blocking might be one thing New England additionally will attempt to make the most of: given the immense high quality of Houston’s defensive position — extra on that in a second — having an additional blocker out there with out sacrificing a receiving outlet may find yourself paying dividends.
Advertisement
LT Will Campbell and RT Morgan Moses
(*6*)The Patriots’ whole offensive line might be in the highlight against the Texans on Sunday, however the bookends particularly will really feel loads of strain — each actually and figuratively. Houston, in any case, would possibly simply be fielding the finest edge duo in all of soccer in All-Pro alternatives Will Campbell Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Together, the two have mixed to register 28.5 sacks and 187 complete quarterback pressures this season, a mean of greater than 10 per sport.
(*6*)While able to getting used interchangeably inside the lineup, the Texans like to have them in set spots. Anderson primarily performs over the opposing proper sort out, on this case Morgan Moses, whereas Hunter will primarily go up against rookie left sort out Will Campbell.
(*6*)Both Moses and Campbell have performed good soccer this season, however the latter particularly had a tough go final week versus the Chargers. Campbell gave up 5 disruptions together with a sack, and was not on his A-game for a lot of the evening final Sunday.
Advertisement
(*6*)The Patriots probably will give him as a lot help as they’ll, each schematically and in the type of further our bodies being assigned — both in the type of a good finish or sixth lineman Thayer Munford Jr. — however Campbell himself additionally wants to step up. A repeat efficiency from final week may have devastating results on Drake Maye and the offense as an entire, one thing that clearly can be true for the Moses vs. Anderson matchup.
CB Marcus Jones
(*6*)The Texans might be with out their No. 1 broad receiver, Nico Collins, however they nonetheless have some gifted receivers in the fold. Among them is Christian Kirk, who completed the workforce’s wild card win over Pittsburgh with eight catches for 144 yards and a landing.
(*6*)Kirk initiatives as a quantity goal for quarterback C.J. Stroud once more come Sunday, and Houston offensive coordinator Nick Caley will probably attempt to use his pace to problem the Patriots’ protection each horizontally and vertically. Of course, New England has simply the participant to match up with him, particularly if he continues lining up in his common spot in the slot: Marcus Jones.
Advertisement
(*6*)Jones is enjoying some very good soccer this 12 months, and simply final week made the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey a non-factor. McConkey and Kirk are each speedsters able to gaining yards after the catch, which implies that New England’s workforce captain has to carry his A-game each in protection in addition to in pursuit and as a tackler. If he can, thus forcing Stroud to look elsewhere in the secondary, Houston’s cross sport is likely to be working into some points.