The outcome of the match left little room for doubt today. With the Texans full of confidence, Jerod Mayo's Patriots had little chance of creating a miracle. And it is therefore logical that CJ Stroud and his team quickly gained the upper hand over their opponents of the day.
Drake Maye, who was making his debut as a starter, had the opportunity to shine but too often made mistakes or came under pressure from a compact and well-established Texan defense. His depleted offensive line didn't make his task any easier either. Conversely, the Houston offensive squad shone at all levels. For the second time in its history, the Texans franchise begins its season with a record of five wins and one loss.
The Texans dominate but do not make the break
The meeting got off to a flying start for the Texans with a passing touchdown on the first drive by Tank Dell. On the other side, rookie quarterback Drake Maye (20/33, 243 yards, 3 TD, 2 Int.) enters for his first game as a starter in the NFL. But the joy is short-lived: the Patriots clear the ball before even having passed the first 10 yards.
Despite a struggling running game, Houston does not slow down. CJ Stroud (20/31, 192 yards, 3 TD, 1 Int) finds the solution in the air, with his legs, or thanks to nasty penalties conceded by the New England defense. The second drive ends almost in the same way as the first. With a touchdown on a short pass, for Joe Mixon (13 races, 102 yards, 1 TD rush and 2 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD) this time. Things got even worse a few minutes later when Drake Maye threw an easy interception right down the middle on Calen Bullock. Houston regains possession less than 30 yards from the opposing end zone. But the Patriots defense avoids the wreck. She forces a field goal and Ka'imi Fairbairn misses the target by a few centimeters.
The Patriots' offense, however, remains nonexistent, like Drake Maye's sack on third attempt. The Texans recover again and Mixon takes off immediately on a 59-yard run. But the great action was forgotten a few seconds later after an interception by Marcus Jones in the end zone. The Patriots defense does the job. After a succession of punts, the locals' attack recovered less than a minute before halftime. Drake Maye finally explodes and finds Kayshon Boutte on a 40-yard bomb for a touchdown. Despite a clear Texan domination, the score was ultimately only 14-7 at the break.
Houston finally takes off
But Drake Maye's burst before the break appears to have been nothing more than a flash. Returning from the locker room, the young quarterback drops the ball under pressure from the Texan defense. He is immediately covered by Mario Edwards. CJ Stroud calmly continues with a touchdown for Stefon Diggs on a 10-yard pass.
Houston maintains the ascendancy. After another punt from the Patriots, the Texans stood out a little more on a 39-yard field goal. The impotence of the New England franchise is glaring. On the next drive, Austin Hooper in turn dropped the ball and returned possession to the visitors. Ka'imi Fairbairn took the opportunity to add 3 additional points.
In its torpor, New England wakes up a little. On a long drive, Drake Maye found Hunter Henry in the paint to close the gap. Houston simply responded with a punt but the defense returned possession in the second following an interception by Eric Murray on a ball deflected by a lineman. Mixon finishes the job with a 20-yard run and the advantage is clearer for the Texans. The score is 34-14.
However, the answer is not long in coming. On a prolific possession, Drake Maye strikes again. This time he delivers to his receiver Demario Douglas a gem of 35 yards for another touchdown. But DeMeco Ryans' men don't plan to let themselves get back on track. Dameon Pierce engages and gives his team six points on a long relay of 54 yards. The game was definitively sealed by defender Will Anderson Jr. who took a second sack on Drake Maye on a third attempt. Houston ticks the clock and records its fifth victory of the season.