The Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots in the first preseason game for both sides Aug. 10 at Gillette Stadium.
The meeting will be the first time since Oct. 10, 2021, that Houston has played New England. The Patriots beat the Texans 25-22 at NRG Stadium in general manager Nick Caserio’s first meeting against his former team.
The last time the two sides met in preseason was Aug. 19, 2017, in the second week of preseason. Houston beat the Patriots 27-23 at NRG Stadium in what was then-Texans coach Bill O’Brien’s last exhibition meeting against his past and future team.
Here are seven position battles that will be worth monitoring throughout the tilt with the Patriots.
1. Quarterback
Whether it is the dynamic of C.J. Stroud versus Davis Mills or even Mills versus Case Keenum, quarterback will draw interest against the Patriots.
While there is pressure on Stroud to earn the starting role, Mills is battling for any chance to be considered the starter and also keeping Keenum at bay. The biggest trait coaching staffs look at with 53-man rosters is versatility. The fewer specialists you keep — including quarterbacks — the greater flexibility a team with its roster.
2. Sixth receiver
When assembling a 53-man roster, the receivers represent more than pass-catchers; they also are a reserve from which special teams derives its personnel.
Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and John Metchie’s roles as receivers are locked in. The same can be said of Noah Brown, although he has special teams proficiency. The sixth receiver on Houston’s roster is essentially a special teamer.
Between Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims, Jalen Camp, Jared Wayne, Alex Bachman, and Johnny Johnson, their highlights on offense will be helpful, but their mistakes on special teams could be very costly.
3. Center
The starting job is Juice Scruggs’ to lose at this point with Scott Quessenberry on injured reserve. However, the second-rounder must demonstrate he is clearly the better option with Michael Deiter and Jimmy Morrissey as the other candidates. Together they have a combined 12 starts at center.
4. Swing tackle
The Texans found themselves in a predicament with Charlie Heck still on the physically unable to perform list and Tytus Howard breaking his hand. Houston delved into the free agency pool to have George Fant provide relief.
Howard is on track for a Week 2 return, and Heck figures to return at some point. If Howard and Heck are both healthy by the time Houston must cut to 53 players at the end of preseason, it leaves them an interesting decision. Fant can make his case with good play, because otherwise why not keep Heck, their 2020 fourth-rounder?
5. Defensive end
It’s safe to say the Texans are keeping even Jonathan Greenard and Jerry Hughes as reserves along the defensive line. The rest of the battle is up to fourth-rounder Dylan Horton, Derek Rivers, Ali Gaye, Adedayo Odeleye, and Chase Winovich to make their case for staying in Houston. The battle could come down to special teams. Nevertheless stacking good outings in preseason is helpful should the attrition monster start to visit Houston’s defensive line.
6. Nickel corner
Desmond King gets the nod against the Patriots, but Tavierre Thomas proved himself last season to be one of the elites at the position. Even if Thomas beats King for the job, the former Pro Bowler has position flex and will find his way on the roster. However, if there were any way Cobi Francis could make his mark as a nickel, it could help his chances.
7. Kicker
Fairbairn is coming off a career year with high marks in field goals (93.5%) and extra points (100%). However, on kickoffs, he had 44.0% on touchbacks, ranking 42nd in the league. What undrafted free agent Jake Bates has going for him is his touchback percentage. The former Arkansas product led FBS last year with an 85.3% touchback percentage. Fairbairn can’t give the Texans any reason to consider Bates beyond his kickoff abilities.
