The Houston Texans faced a Pro Bowler and playoff winner in Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
For Week 5 at NRG Stadium, the Texans will take on a newcomer in rookie Mac Jones as the New England Patriots visit Houston for the third consecutive season.
Although Jones is a first-rounder from Alabama, he is still fresh meat to opposing defenses. However, cornerback Terrance Mitchell is not taking the 23-year-old lightly.
“Everybody in the NFL is capable, some guys more than others,” Mitchell said. “I won’t overlook No. 10 because he might be pretty good. We just got to go in there and play honest and treat him like any other quarterback.”
Jones had maybe his best game of the first four games in Week 4 when New England hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones went 31-of-40 for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as he led the Patriots on a game-winning drive. Only kicker Nick Folk hitting the left upright killed the drive. Otherwise, a 56-yard field goal with 55 seconds left in the game may have sealed the deal — or, Tom Brady would have spoiled Jones’ first chance at a fourth quarter comeback and game-winning drive.
In order to counter Jones, Mitchell knows the defense will have to work together with the pass rush delivering hits and the secondary playing opportunistically.
Said Mitchell: “We just got to be sticky just like any other week. Rushing coverage and work together. We just have to go out there and execute and do our job.”
The Texans’ only win of the season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars when they pummeled No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence 37-21 at NRG Stadium.
