The Houston Texans and the New England Patriots will face off for their tenth regular season game in franchise history this Sunday. It's also the first time in four years that the two teams have played in Houston.
A number of current Texans players have had big games against the six-time Super Bowl champions:
Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes and completed 22-of-33 passes for 301 yards in his second-ever NFL start during the 36-33 loss in Week 3 of the 2017 season.
In that same game, Whitney Mercilus sacked Tom Brady and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. Mercilus also finished with five solo tackles and one quarterback hit.
In a Week 3 matchup at New England in 2016, Benardrick McKinney notched a single-game career high with 16 total tackles (six solo) and added 1.0 sack, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit. McKinney's 16 total tackles were tied for the fourth-most in a single-game in franchise history.
Against the Patriots in Week 13 of the 2013 season, Johnathan Joseph recorded three solo tackles, one pass defensed and notched his second interception of the season, picking off Brady and returning it 31 yards.
Last year, Kenny Stills led the Miami Dolphins with a season-high 135 receiving yards and one touchdown on a season-high eight catches (16.9 avg.) against the Patriots in Week 14. Still was also part of the final play of the game, known as The Miami Miracle, where a series of laterals ended in a Dolphins touchdown and a 34-33 victory over New England as time expired.
As a member of the Denver Broncos, Bradley Roby recorded two combined tackles, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and had his first career interception against Brady in the Broncos' 43-21 loss on November 2, 2014. The following year in the AFC Championship game, Roby intercepted a tipped pass on a two-point conversion to preserve a fourth quarter 20-18 victory over the Patriots.
In a 2012 Week 5 game against the Patriots, also as a member of the Broncos, safety Mike Adams posted a single-game career high with 12 total tackles (six solo) and also recovered a fumble forced in the fourth quarter.
The Texans will host the Patriots on Sunday Night Football with kickoff set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC and SportsRadio 610.
