After starting the season with 10 straight wins, defending Super Bowl champions New England Patriots (10-2) suddenly dropped two consecutive games. They are keen on regaining their winning form in this match at the NRG Stadium on Sunday against the Houston Texans (6-6), who had just snapped their four-game winning run last week.
New England succumbed to the rejuvenated Philadelphia Eagles, 35-28, at their own Gillette Stadium last Sunday, as per Yahoo Sports.
The defeat was shocking for the Patriots as it was the team's first taste of back-to-back losses in more than three seasons.
Sam Bradford was back for the Eagles and he totally outplayed Tom Brady, who uncharacteristically had two interceptions and four sacks during the game.
Meanwhile, the Texans' winning streak was halted at four games as they were defeated by the Buffalo Bills, 30-21, at the Ralph Wilson Stadium also last Sunday, as reported by USA Today.
Houston's vaunted J.J. Watt-led defense was not able to stop Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor from passing three touchdowns plus rushing for one more in a terrific all-around performance.
The Patriots are projected to bounce back from their two-game slide in this match against the Texans as Brady returns to his accurate self in Houston this Sunday.
Prediction: Patriots win, 28-24.
New England Patriots starting lineup
Offense: Brady (QB), Blount (RB1), White (RB2), Amendola (WR1), LaFell (WR2), Chandler (TE), Vollmer (LT), Mason (LG), Stork (C), Kline (RG), Cannon (RT)
Defense: Ninkovich (DE), Branch (DT), Brown (DT), Jones (DE), Freeney (OLB), Mayo (MLB), Fleming (OLB), Butler (CB1), Ryan (CB2), Chung (SS), McCourty (FS)
Houston Texans starting lineup
Offense: Hoyer (QB), Blue (RB), Prosch (FB), Hopkins (WR1), Washington (WR2), Fiedorowicz (TE), D. Brown (LT), Su'a-Filo (LG), Jones (C), Brooks (RG), Newton (RT)
Defense: Watt (DE), Wilfork (NT), Crick (DE), Mercilus (OLB), Cushing (ILB), McKinney (ILB), Clowney (OLB), Johnson (CB1), Joseph (CB2), Demps (SS), Hal (FS)