2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 5

New England Patriots (1-3) at Houston Texans (1-3)

Sunday, October 10, 1PM ET

While they’re currently 1-3, the New England Patriots aren’t a pushover. They nearly knocked off Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and have one of the better defenses in the NFL. It’s laughable to even consider the Houston Texans a threat in Week 5.

Since Davis Mills took over for the injury Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback, the Texans have been miserable on offense. They’ve managed only nine points in those two games, as the rookie gunslinger looks completely lost running the offense. Against the aforementioned stout New England defense, expect another rough outing for Mills.

And while the Houston defense is no slouch, it shouldn’t prove too difficult to overcome for Mac Jones and the Patriots. They’ve got a reliable running game, and Jones is playing some quality football despite his fair share of growing pains. Especially with Bill Belichick pointing the way, Jones seems destined for greatness and we should see more progress towards that in Week 5.

After a fluke Week 1 win, the Texans have quickly evolved into the sad excuse for a football team we expected them to be. You may blame that on the loss of Taylor, but one player does not make a team. Houston falls to 1-4 while the Patriots get back into the hunt with a win.

Prediction: Patriots win 31-7 | Spread: Patriots (-9.5)