5 bold predictions for the Patriots against the Texans

The Texans’ passing game will struggle

Houston’s passing game is far too predictable. Brandin Cooks is a good receiver, but the Texans need someone else to step up offensively. Cooks leads the team with 28 catches. Their next leading receiver in terms of receptions is running back David Johnson who has eight catches. Aside from Cooks, the Texans have two receivers with five or more catches- Anthony Miller with five and Danny Amendola with six.

Houston needs another target besides Cooks. They drafted Nico Collins out of Michigan, but he has been dealing with an injury. This means that guys like Miller, Amendola, and Chris Conley need to step up.

The Texans don’t have elite talent on offense, but that’s not an excuse for having one player be their entire offense. When Bill Belichick keys in on Cooks, that will leave Houston largely ineffective offensively. The fact that they can’t run the ball makes it harder for them to get going through the air. A predictable offense against a good Patriots defense is a death sentence for any team. Mills will try to force feed Cooks too many times, and it will play right into the hand of what New England will do defensively.