{"id":64570,"date":"2026-01-16T04:30:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T09:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=64570"},"modified":"2026-01-16T12:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T17:58:36","slug":"morse-patriots-vs-houston-preview-of-texans-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2026\/01\/16\/morse-patriots-vs-houston-preview-of-texans-team\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Patriots vs Houston – Preview of Texans Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots host the Texans in the Playoffs at home.\u00a0 \u00a0The Patriots opened at 3-point favorites and the early money came down on Houston which dropped it to 2.5-point favorites.\u00a0 Basically, this is a pick-em game with the home team generally given 3pts.<\/p>\n

You can call the Texans Patriots South since they have so many former executives, coaches and players.\u00a0 The GM is Nick Caserio, the Offensive Coordinator is Nick Caley, Special Teams Frank Ross, OL Cole Popovich, Defensive Pass Coordinator Cory Undlin and Sr, Offensive Assistant Jerry Schupulski.\u00a0 The players include OT Trent Brown, C Jake Andrews, DB Myles Bryant and WR Braxton Barrios.<\/p>\n

Offense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On offense the Texans rank 19th in Overall Offense at 312.7 Yards Per Game ranked 18th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Passing they accumulate 218.4 yards a game which ranks 14th<\/sup>.\u00a0 They will probably be without their top receiver Nico Collins who is in Concussion Protocol after being carted off in the Monday Night game and having a short week of practice to recover from that play.\u00a0 Scoring they have 23.8 Points Per game which ranks 22nd, in the Red Zone they are at 46.3% which is a low 30th<\/sup> rank.\u00a0 On 3d down they are successful at 37.2 % which is a low 23 rank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nC.J. Stroud<\/td>\nDavis Mills<\/td>\nGraham Mertz<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nWoody Marks<\/td>\nJawhar Jordan Q<\/td>\nNick Chubb<\/td>\nDare Ogunbowale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nNico Collins Q<\/td>\nXavier Hutchinson<\/td>\nBraxton Berrios<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nJayden Higgins<\/td>\nJaylin Noel<\/td>\nTank Dell O<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nChristian Kirk<\/td>\nJustin Watson Q<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nDalton Schultz<\/td>\nCade Stover<\/td>\nHarrison Bryant<\/td>\nBrevin Jordan IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nAireontae Ersery<\/td>\nTrent\u00a0Brown<\/td>\nBlake Fisher<\/td>\nJarrett Kingston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nTytus\u00a0Howard<\/td>\nJarrett Patterson<\/td>\nJuice Scruggs<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nJake\u00a0Andrews<\/td>\nJarrett Patterson<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nEd\u00a0Ingram<\/td>\nTytus\u00a0Howard<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nTrent\u00a0Brown Q<\/td>\nTytus\u00a0Howard<\/td>\nBlake Fisher<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

CJ Stroud is their QB, and he had a horrible game against the Steelers on Monday Night.\u00a0 In the game, he had an Interception and 5 fumbles, of which the Texans recovered 3.\u00a0 This from Pro Football Network: \u201cYear 3 of C.J. Stroud\u2019s NFL career looked a lot more like his second year with the Texans than his first. That\u2019s perfectly acceptable, as he still ended the year with a respectable 217.2 passing yards per game and an improved 92.9 passer rating from the season before. Ranging from slightly above average to slightly below average in most of PFSN\u2019s analytical categories, though, the jury is still out on whether he can become elite in this league.\u201d\u00a0 They have him ranked 19th<\/sup> amongst the league\u2019s QBs.<\/p>\n

Stroud only fumbled twice during this season before the Steelers’ game, but has 16 over his three-year career.\u00a0 For the season, he completed 273 passes on 423 attempts for 64.5% and 3,041 yards, 19 TDs against 8 Interceptions.\u00a0 Against the Steeler,s he completed 21 of 32 passes, 65.6%. 250 yards a TD and an INT.\u00a0 The big number was the fumbles.<\/p>\n

At running back, rookie Woody Marks has emerged as the go-to back.\u00a0 In the Steelers’ victory, Marks ran for 112 yards on 19 carries for a 5.9 YPC and a TD.\u00a0 Marks, coming out of college, was known as a tremendous receiver out of the backfield, but curiously, he didn\u2019t have a target in the Steelers game.\u00a0 On the season, he had 196 carries for 703 yards, 3.6 YPC, 2 TDs, and a Fumble.<\/p>\n

Backup Nick Chubb is no slouch either. \u00a0Entering his 8th<\/sup> season in the league, the 30-year-old, former Cleveland Brown, had 4 straight 1,000-yard seasons before a devastating knee injury in 2023.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t been the same since. \u00a0For the season he has 122 carries for 506 yards a 4.1 YPC with 3 TDs and 0 Fumbles.\u00a0 In the passing game, Chubb was only targeted 20 times with 13 catches for 67 yards, 5.2 YPC, and 0 TDs.\u00a0 Last week versus Pittsburgh, Chubb carried the ball 10 times for 48 yards, 4.8 YPC, and 0 TDs.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t targeted with any pass attempts.<\/p>\n

The Wider Receivers were devastated by Nico Collins\u2019 concussion.\u00a0 It was late in the game and didn\u2019t impact the final score. \u00a0\u00a0With the short week for the Texans, it\u2019s highly unlikely he will play Sunday.\u00a0 On the season, he had 71 catches on 120 targets for 1117 yards, 15.7 YPC, and 6 TDs.\u00a0 In the Pittsburgh game, he had 3 receptions on 7 targets for 21 yards, 3.0 YPC, and 0 TDs.<\/p>\n

His replacement will likely be Xavier Hutchinson, the 6\u20192\u201d, 210-pound receiver out of Iowa State.\u00a0 He was selected in the 2023 6th<\/sup> round (205th<\/sup>).\u00a0 For the season, he had 35 catches on 57 targets for 428 yards, 12.2 YPC, and 3 TDs.\u00a0 In the Pittsburgh game, he had 2 catches on 4 targets for 21 yards, 10.5 YPC, and 0 TDs.<\/p>\n

Christian Kirk has stood up big for the Texans and is the receiver Christian Gonzalez should be assigned to.\u00a0 For the season, Kirk has 28 catches on 52 targets for 239 yards, 8.5 YPC, and a TD.\u00a0 However, in the Pittsburgh game, he was Stroud\u2019s most trusted receiver with 8 catches on 9 targets for 144 yards, 18.0 YPC, and a TD.<\/p>\n

Two more rookies from Iowa State, Jayden Higgins and Jaylen Noel, round out the receiving corps.\u00a0 Higgins is a big target at 6\u20194\u201d, 214-pound receiver. \u00a0He was selected in the 2nd<\/sup> round (34) of this year\u2019s draft.\u00a0 On the season, he had 41 catches on 68 targets for 525 yards, 12.8 YPC, and 6 TDs.\u00a0 Against the Steelers, he had 3 catches on 4 Targets, for 39 yards, 13.0 YPC, and 0 TDs.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Daniel<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Teammate Jaylen Noel is the 5\u201910\u201d 201-pound speedster who ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine.\u00a0 He also had a 6.82 Three Cone Drill, which shows incredible quickness.\u00a0 Noel was selected as the Big 10 All-Conference Return Specialist.\u00a0 For the season, he had 26 catches on 35 Targets, for 292 yards, 11.2 YPC, and 2 TDs.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t targeted in the Steelers game.\u00a0 Braxton Berrios, a former Patriots draft pick, is a good return man.\u00a0 However, he was listed as inactive for Sunday night’s playoff game versus the Steelers.\u00a0 He should be active for the Patriots game, taking the roster spot that Collins occupied.<\/p>\n

Dalton Schultz is a very good Tight End.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d, 242-pound TE from Stanford was drafted by Dallas in the 2018 Draft, 4th<\/sup> round (137).\u00a0 This season, he had 82 catches for 777 yards, 9.5 YPC, and 3 TDs.\u00a0 Against the Steelers, he had 4 catches on 4 targets for 73 yards, 18.3 YPC without a TD.\u00a0 His backup is Cade Stove,r a highly regarded 6\u20194\u201d, 251-pound TE from Ohio State. \u00a0He was selected by the Texans in the 2024 Draft 4th<\/sup> Round (123).\u00a0 For the season, he had 12 catches on 16 Targets for 76 yards, 6.3 YPC, and no TDs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he had 1 catch on 2 targets for 9 yards and no TDs.<\/p>\n

Rookie Left Tackle Aireontae Ersery has struggled. The huge 6\u20196\u201d, 330-pound Tackle played at Minnesota and was drafted this year in the 2nd<\/sup> round (48).\u00a0 His PFF grade for the season is 58.9, which was 68 of 89 OTs.\u00a0 His grade against the Steelers dipped to 47.1.\u00a0 I think he will need help trying to handle K\u2019Lavon Chaisson.\u00a0 At Left Guard is Tytus Howard, a 6\u20195\u201d, 322=pound Guard.\u00a0 He played at Alabama State, and despite playing at a small school, he was selected in the 2019 draft, 1st Round (23) by Houston.\u00a0 For the season, he had a 62.7 PFF grade, good for 58th of 89 Guards.\u00a0 Howard struggled against Pittsburgh and had a 44.3 PFF grade.\u00a0 Can you say Field Day for Barmore and Williams?<\/p>\n

Former Patriot draft pick Jake Andrews is the starting Center.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 308-pound Guard out of Troy was a 4th<\/sup> round (108) selection by the Patriots. \u00a0In his rookie season, he was placed on IR on August 5th<\/sup> with a torn meniscus.\u00a0 That is usually a 3-4 week injur,y and the team placed him on IR for the season.\u00a0 He was given a \u201cRed Shirt\u201d year being on IR.\u00a0 He was a bust, and in the Spring of 2025, the team decided to cut him and cut their losses.\u00a0 I was shocked to see him playing on Monday Night.\u00a0 Barmore and Williams should eat him alive on Sunday.\u00a0 His PFF grade for 2025 was 61.6, 26th<\/sup> of 40 Centers.\u00a0 In the playoff game he had a decent 65.6 PFF grade.<\/p>\n

Ed Ingram is an excellent Right Guard.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 307-pound Guard from LSU was selected in the 2022 Draft 2nd<\/sup> round (59) by Minnesota.\u00a0 His PFF grade for 2025 is 71.5, 18th<\/sup> amongst 81 Guards.\u00a0 His numbers against the Steelers were even better with an overall 87.1 grade.\u00a0 Former Patriots Tackle Trent Brown anchors the Right Tackle position.\u00a0 The enigmatic Brown is massive at 6\u20198\u201d 370-pounds.\u00a0 He is so big he has his own zip code.\u00a0 Brown has played in only the last 8 games, coincidentally, all Texans victories.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0His PFF grade for the year is 68.6 good for 4th<\/sup> amongst 89 Tackles.\u00a0 In the Pittsburgh game, he was graded 65.8.\u00a0 He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an Ankle issue. It could be maintenance for a veteran, or there might be a real issue.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what the Friday Injury report says.<\/p>\n

Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Texans’ defense is the real deal.\u00a0 This will be the best Defense that Drake Maye and the Patriots have seen all year.\u00a0 They are the Number 1 Defense in the league, giving up only 277.2 Yards Per Game.\u00a0 Passing, they only give up 183.5 Yards Per Game, Rush Defense is 93.7 Yards Per Game, which is # 4.\u00a0 Scoring Defense, they hold opponents to 17.4 Points Per Game, which is #2.\u00a0 In the Red Zone, they hold opponents to 56.8%, which is #16.\u00a0 They hold their opponents on 3rd<\/sup> Down at a 36.2%, which is #6.\u00a0 They have a +17 Turnover differential, which is #2.\u00a0 Something has to give here.<\/p>\n

4-3 Base Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Texans have been hit hard on Defense with 7 guys on IR and another two that have been ruled out.\u00a0 Luckily, it has been only one of their premium starters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nDanielle\u00a0Hunter<\/td>\nDenico Autry Q<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDT<\/td>\nTommy\u00a0Togiai<\/td>\nLeki Fotu<\/td>\nFolorunso Fatukasi\u00a0IR<\/td>\nMario\u00a0Edwards IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDT<\/td>\nSheldon Rankins<\/td>\nNaquan\u00a0Jones<\/td>\nKurt Hinish\u00a0O<\/td>\nTim Settle Jr.\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nWill\u00a0Anderson<\/td>\nDerek Barnett<\/td>\nDylan\u00a0Horton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nHenry To’oTo’o<\/td>\nDamone Clark<\/td>\nJake Hansen\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MLB<\/td>\nAzeez Al-Shaair<\/td>\nChristian\u00a0Harris<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nE.J. Speed<\/td>\nJamal\u00a0Hill<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nDerek Stingley Jr.<\/td>\nTremon\u00a0Smith<\/td>\nAjani\u00a0Carter IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nCalen Bullock<\/td>\nJimmie\u00a0Ward O<\/td>\nM.J.\u00a0Stewart IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nJaylen\u00a0Reed<\/td>\nJalen Pitre<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nKamari Lassiter<\/td>\nJa’Marcus\u00a0Ingram<\/td>\nJaylin\u00a0Smith IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NB<\/td>\nJalen Pitre<\/td>\nMyles\u00a0Bryant<\/td>\nAlijah Huzzie<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

You won\u2019t find a better pair of bookend edge players than Anderon and Hunter.\u00a0 RDE Will Anderson is the #2 ranked Edge player.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 243-pound End played at Alabama and was the 2023 1st<\/sup> round (3) selection by Houston.\u00a0 For the season his PFF grade is 92.3 2nd<\/sup> amongst 115 Edge players.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0His numbers are insane.\u00a0 He had 54 Tackles, 13 sacks, 10 QB Hits, and 70 Hurries.\u00a0 In the playoff game against Pittsburgh his PFF grade was 86.8 with 3 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 QB Hit, and 3 Hurries.<\/p>\n

Anderson will be matched up against Will Campbell.\u00a0 This is not the 1st<\/sup> time the two will play against each other.\u00a0 They matched up when Campbell was an 18-year-old Freshman and he held his own.\u00a0 This is a fascinating matchup and one of the keys to the game.<\/p>\n

On the other end is Danielle Hunter.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d. 263-pound End played at LSU and was drafted in 2015 in the 3rd<\/sup> Round (34) by Minnesota.\u00a0 His PFF grade this season was 89.3, which was 5th<\/sup> amongst 115 Edge players.\u00a0 In the Pittsburgh game, he had a 90.5 PFF grade.\u00a0 On the season, he had 54 Tackles, 16 sacks, 8 QB Hits, and 59 Hurries.\u00a0 Against the Steelers, he had 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 QB Hit, and 4 Hurries. \u00a0\u00a0The LDT is Tommy Togiai.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d 296-pound DT from Ohio State was selected in the 2021 Draft, 4th<\/sup> round (131) by Cleveland.\u00a0 His 74.2 PFF grade during the regular season ranks 15th<\/sup> of 134 DTs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he had a bad game, and that was reflected in a PFF grade of 58.3.\u00a0 On the season, he had 59 Tackles, 3 sacks, 20 QB Hits, and 3 Hurries.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he was credited with 5 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, and 2 Hurries.<\/p>\n

Sheldon Rankins is the other DT.\u00a0 The 6\u20192\u201d, 205-pound DT played at Louisville and was taken in the 2016 Draft 1st<\/sup> round (12) by New Orleans.\u00a0 His PFF grade in the regular season is 73.2, 19th<\/sup> amongst 134 DTs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he had a 67.1 Grade.\u00a0 For the regular season, he had 35 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 5 QB Hits, and 30 Hurries.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he had 2 tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, and 0 Hurries.<\/p>\n

The Linebackers are led by Azeez Al-Shaair.\u00a0 The 6\u20192,\u201d 228-pound LB played at Florida Atlantic and went Undrafted in 2019.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 70.9, 27th<\/sup> of 88 Linebackers.\u00a0 For the Pittsburgh game, he received an 84.1 grade from PFF.\u00a0 On the season, he had 103 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 2 QB Hits, 5 Hurries, and 2 INT.\u00a0 Against the Steelers, he had 6 Tackles with 0 Sacks, QB Hits, and Hurries.<\/p>\n

Henry To\u2019o\u2019To\u2019o is a 6\u20191\u201d 228-pound Linebacker from Alabama and was selected in the 2023 Draft, 5th<\/sup> Round (169).\u00a0 His PFF grade for the season is 62.4, 40th<\/sup> of 88.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he received a 58.1 grade.\u00a0 On the season, he had 95 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 QB Hits, and 10 Hurries.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he had 7 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, and 0 Hurries.<\/p>\n

The other outside linebacker is EJ Speed.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 227-pound Linebacker played at Tarleton State and was selected in the 2019 draft, 5th<\/sup> round (164). \u00a0His PFF grade was 54.7, 63 of 88 Linebackers.\u00a0 For the season, he had 62 Tackles, 0 sacks, 2 QB Hits, and 5 Hurries.\u00a0 Against the Steelers, he had 1 Tackle, 0 Sacks, QB Hits, and Hurries.<\/p>\n

The secondary of the Texans is very good, indicated by their 19 Interceptions during the season.\u00a0 They are led by All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. \u00a0\u00a0The 6\u2019, 190-pound DB played at LSU and was drafted in the 2022, 1st<\/sup> round (3).\u00a0 His PFF grade for 2025 was 69, good for 29th<\/sup> of 114 CBs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he was graded at 63.7.\u00a0 On the season, he had 36 Tackles, 0 Sacks, QB Hits or Hurries, and 4 INTs.\u00a0 In the Steelers game he had 1 Tackle.<\/p>\n

Calen Bullock plays the SS position.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 190-pound Safety played at USC and was selected in the 2024 draft, 3rd Round (78).\u00a0 His PFF grade for the season was 69.3, 31st<\/sup> of 98 Safeties.\u00a0 His grade for the Pittsburgh game was 60.9.\u00a0 On the season, he had 64 Tackles, 0 Sacks, QB Hits or Hurries, and 4 INTs.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he had 3 Tackles and an Interception.<\/p>\n

Jaylen Reed at Free Safety may be the weak point.\u00a0 The 6\u20191\u201d, 212-pound Safety played at Penn State and was selected in the 6th<\/sup> Round (189).\u00a0 His PFF grade is 65.6, but is unranked because he has only played in 3 regular season games and one playoff game.\u00a0 He replaced Jimmie Ward, who is on IR.\u00a0 Reed\u2019s grade for the Pittsburgh game was an abysmal 47.3.\u00a0 On the season, he has 14 Tackles.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he had 3 Tackles.<\/p>\n

Kamari Lassiter plays RCB.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 180-pound CB from Georgia was drafted in 2024 in the 2nd<\/sup> round (42).\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 75.9, 11th<\/sup> of 114 CBs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, his grade was 75.4.\u00a0 On the season, he had 91 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 1 QB Hit, 2 Hurries, and 4 INTs.\u00a0 In the Steelers gam,e he had 6 Tackles.<\/p>\n

Jalen Pitre has been playing at an All-Pro level.\u00a0 The former Safety was moved to Slot Corner, and he has been outstanding.\u00a0 The hard-hitting and sure tackler stands 5\u201911\u201d, 198-pound NB played at Baylor and was selected in the 2022 Draft 2nd<\/sup> round (37).\u00a0\u00a0 His PFF grade is 86.5, 2nd<\/sup> of 96 Nickel Backs.\u00a0 Against Pittsburgh, he had a 67.8 Grade.\u00a0 On the season, he had 74 Tackles, 0 Sacks or QB Hits, 10 Hurries, and 4 INTs.\u00a0 In the Steelers game, he had 7 Tackles.\u00a0 Former Patriot Myles Bryant is a backup for the Texans.<\/p>\n

Special Teams<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nKa’imi Fairbairn<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nTommy Townsend<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nTommy Townsend<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nJaylin Noel<\/td>\nBraxton Berrios<\/td>\nChristian Kirk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nTremon\u00a0Smith<\/td>\nJaylin Noel<\/td>\nBraxton Berrios<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nAustin Brinkman<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Texans have very good Special Teams.\u00a0 Kicker Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn has the most kicking attempts in the league at 48 and is ranked 8th<\/sup> in FG% at 91.7%.\u00a0 His 4 misses have all been beyond 50 yards.\u00a0 Tommy Townsend is one of the top punters in the league.\u00a0 His 41.6 Net Average is 18th<\/sup> but that may be because he is 23rd<\/sup> in the league with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line.<\/p>\n

Jaylin Noel was a tremendous kick returner in college, and he has taken those skills to the Pros.\u00a0 The rookie is 2nd<\/sup> in the league with 31 Punt Returns and ranked 15th<\/sup> with a 10.8 average Per Punt Return.\u00a0 He also handles Kickoffs with a 27.6 Average which is 13th<\/sup> in the league.\u00a0 Tremon Smith is listed as the starter, but he is definitely second on the team.\u00a0 A good pair to have, and you can\u2019t really kick away from either.<\/p>\n

Comings and Goings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This from Patriots.com – The New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> announced that they have signed veteran DE Darrell Taylor to the practice squad and released RB Elijah Mitchell from the practice squad. Taylor spent the regular season with the Houston Texans before being released on Jan. 12.<\/p>\n

Taylor<\/strong>, 28, originally entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick by Seattle in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder was traded to Chicago in 2024 and then signed with Houston as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason. Taylor has played in 69 regular-season games with 13 starts and has 118 total tackles, 24\u00bd sacks, 5 passes defensed, 8 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. He was limited to just 4 games with Houston this season after spending time on injured reserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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