The Patriots’ defense was on fire in the first half against the Texans, snagging four interceptions from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. By halftime, New England led 21-10, thanks in large part to these turnovers.
One standout play was by Marcus Jones, who raced 26 yards for a pick-six early in the second quarter. Stroud had a rough outing, completing just 10 of 26 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown, and those four interceptions. Two picks came from Carlton Davis, while Craig Woodson added another.
On the Texans’ side, there was talk about swapping in Davis Mills for Stroud in the second half due to the latter’s struggles. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ quarterback, Drake Maye, faced challenges of his own. He fumbled twice but was lucky that his team recovered both. However, the Texans did manage to score a touchdown off one of his mishaps, giving them a brief 10-7 lead after Stroud found Christian Kirk for a touchdown.
Overall, both teams struggled offensively. The Texans had nine first downs and 132 total yards but those four turnovers really hurt them. The Patriots weren’t much better, with only six first downs and 134 yards. Maye wrapped up the half with a 10-of-19 performance for 117 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick on a Hail Mary to end the half.
It’s interesting to note that rookie quarterbacks often face these kinds of challenges, especially in high-pressure games. According to a recent ESPN report, rookie QBs have a higher interception rate than veterans—often due to their inexperience in reading defenses.
As the second half began, the Texans received the kickoff, hoping to turn things around. Given the early struggles, it seemed possible that a shift in strategy could lead to a more competitive game.
Source link
