Houston Texans: Stock up, stock down after big win over Patriots

Checking in on the stock of the Houston Texans after they pulled off a huge win on Sunday Night Football over the New England Patriots in Week 13.

Having been blown out by the Ravens and then narrowly getting past the Colts in the previous two weeks, the Houston Texans needed to come up big on Sunday Night Football in Week 13. With the then-AFC leading New England Patriots coming to NRG Stadium in primetime, the opportunity to do so was at hand and Deshaun Watson‘s club delivered.

At the end of four quarters, the Texans had earned a 28-22 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions but the game was far less in question than the final score would indicate. In a matchup where Houston had plenty to prove, they showed a dominant brand of football on both ends of the field.

The Texans jumped out to a 21-3 advantage early in the third quarter as Watson completed his third touchdown pass of the night, this one a 35-yard throw to Kenny Stills. And while James White became the apple of Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense’s eye to try and claw back, Watson caught a touchdown pass from DeAndre Hopkins on a beautiful trick play in the fourth quarter to essentially ice the game, making their lead insurmountable.

With the victory, Houston now moves to 8-4 on the season, which is crucial for this team. The win keeps them atop the AFC South ahead of the surging Tennessee Titans. But perhaps more important than that, this was an all-around great performance against an elite opponent that makes a statement: These Houston Texans aren’t a team to be overlooked.

On the heels of the Sunday Night Football win over the Patriots, let’s take a look at the stock ups and stock downs for the Houston Texans to see which players, people and groups have seen their value or performance rise and fall after Week 13.