Texans 41-21 Patriots (Oct. 13, 2024) Game Recap

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – CJ Stroud threw three touchdown passes and the Houston Texans spoiled New England rookie quarterback Drake Maye's first start by rolling past the Patriots 41-21 on Sunday.

Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and intercepted a TD pass from Stroud. Stefon Diggs had six catches for 77 yards and a score for the AFC South-leading Texans (5-1), and Tank Dell had seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Dameon Pierce had a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 76 yards on eight carries. Will Anderson Jr. had three sacks for Houston, which has won three straight.

The Patriots (1-5) got a boost from Maye, the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft. He took over for veteran Jacoby Brissett and finished 20 of 33 for 243 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 38 yards but was intercepted twice and sacked four times, one of which resulted in a lost fumble.

After Houston sacked No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams seven times in a win over Chicago last week, Houston wasted no time in making Maye uncomfortable. The Patriots made a three-pointer on their first possession, and on their next series Maye overthrew his intended target and was intercepted by Calen Bullock – one of four turnovers by New England, which has lost five straight and fell to 0-3 in this one season at home.

Maye threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Kayshaun Boutte with 11 seconds left in the first half. The first-year signal caller matched Brissett's five-play TD performance (two) when he hit tight end Hunter Henry in the left flat for a 6-yard score that cut Houston's lead to 27-14 in the third quarter.

Maye gave the Patriots fans in attendance another reason to cheer when he connected with DeMario Douglas for a 35-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

Both teams entered the field without key offensive players. The Texans placed top receiver Nico Collins on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, while the Patriots were without running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who has a foot injury.

Penalties galore

A week after committing 12 penalties for 105 yards in a loss to Miami, the Patriots were cited for an illegal formation on the game's opening kickoff. That was just the beginning, as New England was charged with pass interference on third down to set up every Houston touchdown in the first quarter.

In total, New England was penalized nine times for 50 yards.

Yin and Yang

The Patriots reached a season high in points behind Maye, but also gave up the most points this season.

Big leg

Bryce Baringer's 54-yard punt in the second quarter extended the Patriots punter's NFL-leading streak to 23 games with a kick of at least 50 yards.

Injuries

Texans: LB Azeez Al-Shaair left in the first half with a knee injury.

Patriots: T Vederian Lowe left in the first half with an ankle injury.

Next

Texans: Next Sunday at Green Bay.

Patriots: Travel to London to face Jacksonville next Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl