5 bold predictions for the Patriots against the Texans

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots runs the ball after his interception against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 25-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Damien Harris #37 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 25-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Patriots will lean on the run game

With a rookie quarterback, it was expected that New England would run the ball more than they have. The Patriots have the NFL’s 30th ranked running game at just over 68 yards per game. They are also 29th in rushing attempts with 79. Not only are they not running the ball well, they aren’t even trying. Granted, they don’t have the luxury of an elite running back on their roster. That said, asking a rookie quarterback to throw the ball 40 times each game doesn’t seem like a winning formula- that could start to change this week.

The Texans have allowed the fourth most rushing yards in the NFL. Their front seven is non-existent, and they don’t have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. The Patriots should lean on Damien Harris in Week 5. He’s their most reliable running back, and he has two rushes of more than 20 yards this season. With James White on injured reserve, he’ll be an even bigger focal point in the running game.

The Patriots may not have a game-changing player in the backfield, but they don’t need Harris to be Walter Payton. If they keep feeding him the ball, he’ll get they yards they need and eventually break off a big gain.

Home/New England Patriots