New England Patriots vs Houston Texans Picks and Predictions October 13th 2024

Patriots Rookie Drake Maye Set for NFL Debut vs. Texans

A new chapter begins for the New England Patriots as they prepare to host the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon in Foxborough, Mass. All eyes will be on No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye, who is set to make his first career start for the Patriots (1-4) after the team struggled with veteran Jacoby Brissett under center. The hope is that Maye, a promising young quarterback, can spark New England’s season and help them snap a four-game losing streak.

Drake Maye’s First Start

Maye got his first taste of NFL action at the end of a 24-3 loss to the New York Jets in Week 3, where he completed 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards. Now, with a full week of preparation as the starting quarterback, Maye is ready to embrace the challenge of leading the Patriots offense.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Maye said. “Something you dream of, getting your first start in the NFL. So excited to get out there with the guys, take advantage of having the full week to get prepared and try to put my best foot forward and help the team win.”

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has been impressed with Maye’s progression and believes the young quarterback gives New England the best chance to win moving forward. Brissett was sacked 17 times in the first five games, and Mayo is hoping Maye’s athleticism will help him avoid some of the pressure behind a struggling offensive line.

“I think now Drake gives us the best chance to win now and going forward,” Mayo said. “He’s been getting better every single week as I said before. At the end of training camp, he actually was trending at a very high rate, and that has continued through the early part of the season.”

Texans Defense Prepares for the Unknown

Houston’s defense, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans, will face the challenge of preparing for a rookie quarterback with limited NFL experience. While the Texans (4-1) have been solid defensively, including last week’s 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills, Ryans knows that facing a first-time starter like Maye presents a unique challenge.

“Defensively, there’s a lot of unknown with this being (Maye’s) first start,” Ryans said. “A lot of unknown for us. We just have to go out and execute in our job the proper way — not so much about them and focusing on what they’re gonna do, or can do, they can do a lot of different things. … We’re just gonna focus on ourselves and making sure we execute the details of our job.”

Houston’s defense will look to improve upon its pass rush after recording just one sack against Buffalo, courtesy of defensive tackle Khalil Davis. Putting pressure on Maye and forcing him into mistakes will be a key for the Texans as they look to exploit his inexperience.

Texans Offense Faces Injuries

While the Texans won’t be dealing with a quarterback change, they are dealing with injuries to key offensive players. Wide receiver Nico Collins, who leads the league with 567 receiving yards, was placed on injured reserve this week due to a hamstring injury. His absence will be a significant blow to the Texans’ passing game, as Collins had been a reliable target for quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Additionally, running back Joe Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury and was one of nine Texans who missed practice on Wednesday. The Texans also have injury concerns with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle), safety Jimmie Ward (groin), and defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder), who were all sidelined in the midweek practice. Running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was limited, but his availability could be crucial if Mixon is unable to play.

Patriots Looking to End Losing Streak

The Patriots have struggled since their season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals, dropping four straight games. Last week’s 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins underscored the team’s offensive woes, as they failed to generate consistent production. With Maye now in charge, the hope is that the rookie can breathe new life into an offense that has yet to find its rhythm.

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However, New England’s backfield is dealing with injuries as well. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson missed practice on Wednesday with a foot injury, which could limit the Patriots’ ground attack. Safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) was also sidelined, while nine other Patriots players were limited, including wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee), cornerback Marcus Jones (groin), and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (knee).

What’s at Stake

For the Patriots, this game represents a chance to end their losing streak and see if Drake Maye can provide a much-needed spark at quarterback. The rookie’s debut will be closely watched, and his ability to handle the pressure of starting in the NFL could set the tone for the rest of the season. New England’s offense has struggled to protect the quarterback and establish a consistent rhythm, but with Maye at the helm, they’ll hope to turn things around.

For the Texans, maintaining their momentum in the AFC South will be crucial, even with key injuries to offensive stars. C.J. Stroud will need to find new go-to targets in the absence of Nico Collins, and Houston’s defense must step up to contain a rookie quarterback making his debut. A win would further solidify the Texans’ place atop their division, while a loss could expose some vulnerabilities as they deal with injury challenges.

Sunday’s game in Foxborough will be a pivotal moment for both teams, as the Patriots look to build around their young quarterback, and the Texans aim to continue their strong start to the season despite key injuries.