NFL Week 6 Preview: New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans
Match Date: October 13, 2024
Kickoff Time: 18:00 EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Teams: New England Patriots (Home) vs. Houston Texans (Away)
Competition: NFL – Round 6
As the New England Patriots prepare to take on the Houston Texans in Week 6 of the NFL, both teams enter with drastically different trajectories based on their last 10 matches.
The Patriots have struggled to find their footing in the 2024 season, while the Texans are coming off a string of solid performances that show promise. In this preview, we will analyze the performances of both teams based on the raw data from their previous 10 games, identifying the positives and negatives each team brings into the game and offering a prediction for the matchup.
New England Patriots: Struggling to Regain Momentum
Last 10 Matches:
1. New England Patriots 10-15 Miami Dolphins (L)
2. San Francisco 49ers 30-13 New England Patriots (L)
3. New York Jets 24-3 New England Patriots (L)
4. New England Patriots 20-23 Seattle Seahawks (L)
5. Cincinnati Bengals 10-16 New England Patriots (W)
6. Washington Commanders 20-10 New England Patriots (L)
7. New England Patriots 13-14 Philadelphia Eagles (L)
8. New England Patriots 17-3 Carolina Panthers (W)
9. New York Jets 17-3 New England Patriots (L)
10. Buffalo Bills 27-21 New England Patriots (L)
Positives:
Despite a rocky start to the 2024 season, the Patriots do have some bright spots in their recent performance. Their defense has shown resilience in some games, such as their 17-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers and the 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
These games highlighted the team’s ability to limit opposition scoring, particularly in forcing mistakes and generating key turnovers. In both of these wins, the Patriots kept the opposing quarterbacks under heavy pressure, resulting in turnovers that swung the momentum in their favor.
Offensively, while the Patriots have struggled overall, they do have moments of potential. Quarterback play has been inconsistent, but when given adequate protection, the Patriots’ passing game can create opportunities. Their rushing attack, although not elite, has shown flashes of promise in games where they’ve controlled the tempo.
Negatives:
The major concern for the Patriots lies in their offensive inconsistency. They’ve failed to generate points in critical moments, as evidenced by their lackluster performances in losses to the New York Jets (3-24) and Miami Dolphins (10-15).
The team has struggled to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns, often settling for field goals or turnovers. Additionally, their offensive line has been a major weakness, allowing pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the flow of their passing game. This has resulted in missed opportunities and a lack of offensive rhythm.
Defensively, while the Patriots have had strong moments, their secondary has been exposed in key games, particularly against elite quarterbacks. The loss to the San Francisco 49ers, where they allowed 30 points, highlighted the struggles of their pass defense, which has been prone to allowing big plays down the field.
Houston Texans: Building Momentum
Last 10 Matches:
1. Houston Texans 23-20 Buffalo Bills (W)
2. Houston Texans 24-20 Jacksonville Jaguars (W)
3. Minnesota Vikings 34-7 Houston Texans (L)
4. Houston Texans 19-13 Chicago Bears (W)
5. Indianapolis Colts 27-29 Houston Texans (W)
6. Houston Texans 17-15 Los Angeles Rams (W)
7. Houston Texans 28-10 New York Giants (W)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 12-20 Houston Texans (W)
9. Chicago Bears 21-17 Houston Texans (L)
10. Baltimore Ravens 34-10 Houston Texans (L)
Positives:
The Texans have experienced a remarkable upswing in form over their last 10 games. After a slow start to the season, their offense has begun clicking, with quarterback play being a key contributor.
The team’s ability to grind out wins in tight games—such as their recent victories over the Buffalo Bills (23-20) and Jacksonville Jaguars (24-20)—demonstrates their resilience and ability to execute under pressure.
The Texans have been able to consistently move the ball down the field, with a balanced offensive attack that combines effective rushing with a productive passing game.
Defensively, the Texans have also shown improvement, particularly in their ability to make key stops when it matters most.
Their secondary has stepped up in recent games, limiting opposing quarterbacks and allowing fewer explosive plays. Their pass rush has been effective as well, forcing quarterbacks to make quick decisions and creating opportunities for turnovers.
Negatives:
However, the Texans are not without flaws. In their heavy loss to the Minnesota Vikings (34-7), the team’s defense was completely outplayed, allowing far too many big plays through the air and on the ground.
Their secondary, while improved, can still be vulnerable against elite offenses. In addition, the Texans have struggled against teams with high-powered offenses, as evidenced by their losses to the Ravens and Vikings, where they allowed 34 points in both games.
Offensively, while the Texans have shown they can score, they have had moments of inconsistency, particularly in their red zone efficiency. In several games, they have settled for field goals instead of touchdowns, which could be costly against teams with stronger defenses.
Head-to-Head Matchup: Patriots vs. Texans
Historically, the Patriots have dominated this matchup, winning key encounters in the past. However, their recent form suggests that this game will be much closer than previous meetings.
The last time these teams faced off was in August 2023, when the Texans won 20-9. The Texans’ improvement over the past few months makes them a legitimate threat to the struggling Patriots.
In their last 10 head-to-head matches, the Patriots have had the upper hand, winning six out of ten games. However, their recent struggles, combined with the Texans’ upswing in form, suggest that this matchup could go either way.
Predictions for the Upcoming Game
Given the recent form of both teams, the Texans appear to be the favorites heading into this game. Their offense has shown greater consistency, and their defense has been effective at forcing key stops in tight situations. The Patriots, on the other hand, will need to find a way to revitalize their offense if they hope to compete.
The Texans’ ability to grind out close victories will likely be the deciding factor in this game. If their offense continues to perform at the same level as their recent games against the Bills and Jaguars, they should be able to score enough points to put pressure on the Patriots. Defensively, the Texans’ pass rush will look to exploit the Patriots’ shaky offensive line, forcing the Patriots into mistakes that could turn the game in the Texans’ favor.
That being said, the Patriots should not be counted out. If their defense can replicate the form shown in their wins against the Bengals and Panthers, they could potentially keep the game close and give their offense a chance to win it in the fourth quarter.
Final Prediction:
Houston Texans 24 – 17 New England Patriots
The Texans have the momentum and a more balanced team heading into this matchup, while the Patriots continue to search for answers on both sides of the ball. Expect a close game, but ultimately, the Texans should come away with the win.
Disclaimer:
This prediction is based on past performance and analysis of both teams. As with all predictions, the actual outcome of the match may vary. Betting on the outcome of the game carries inherent risks, and it is important to bet responsibly. Always bet within your means and only gamble with money you are prepared to lose.
