Preview: Texans vs. Giants · prediction, injury report, analysis
The Houston Texans (2-4) host the New York Giants (3-2-1) in Week 7 of the NFL season. Kickoff is Sunday, October 25, at 1pm ET (11am in Mexico City) at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Houston sits third in the AFC South. New York leads the NFC East.
Match preview
The Texans are 2-4 but have won two straight. They beat Tennessee 26-3 in Week 5 and edged Jacksonville 34-31 in Week 6, a game played in London. They sit third in the AFC South.
The offense averages 24.0 points per game and the defense allows 23.8. Houston is still winless at home, 0-3, with losses of 20-6 to Cincinnati and 34-30 to Dallas.
C.J. Stroud is playing the best football of his career since his rookie year. He has 1,714 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception, completing 65.3 percent of his passes. Against Jacksonville he threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Will Anderson Jr. leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. With Danielle Hunter, he has helped produce 21 quarterback hits. That duo is the biggest test for New York's protection.
The Giants arrive 3-2-1 and atop the NFC East. They fell 34-27 at home to New Orleans after holding a double-digit lead. Before that they tied Washington 27-27 and beat Arizona 36-24 and Tennessee 12-7.
New York averages 22.7 points and allows 23.3. The Giants are 3-1 at home but 0-1-1 on the road, including a 28-6 loss to the Rams in Week 2.
J.J. McCarthy makes his first start for the Giants. He came off the bench against the Saints and finished 11 of 21 for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jaxson Dart is on injured reserve for the rest of the year, and Jameis Winston started four games.
The Giants' defense ranks fifth in yards allowed per pass attempt at 6.2. Only one quarterback has topped 200 passing yards against them. Tight end Isaiah Likely has five touchdown catches in six games with the club.
New York has won the last four regular-season meetings, including a 24-16 result in 2022. The most recent meeting was a preseason game in August 2024, a 28-10 Houston win. Both teams head into their bye week after this one.
Houston Texans · recent results
- WJacksonville Jaguars 31-34 Houston Texans
- WTennessee Titans 3-26 Houston Texans
- LHouston Texans 30-34 Dallas Cowboys
- LIndianapolis Colts 19-17 Houston Texans
- LHouston Texans 6-20 Cincinnati Bengals
New York Giants · recent results
- LNew York Giants 27-34 New Orleans Saints
- DWashington Commanders 27-27 New York Giants
- WNew York Giants 36-24 Arizona Cardinals
- WNew York Giants 12-7 Tennessee Titans
- LLos Angeles Rams 28-6 New York Giants
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Injury report
Houston has four confirmed absences on the final report: running back David Montgomery (groin), tackle Blake Fisher (thumb) and safeties Reed Blankenship (concussion and hand) and Jalen Pitre (shoulder). Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and tackle Trent Brown were full participants on Friday.
New York has lost middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder), who is reportedly done for the season. Cornerback Greg Newsome II (concussion) is also out. Tight end Theo Johnson (neck) is doubtful. Micah McFadden is expected to replace Edmunds next to rookie Arvell Reese.
Tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (calf), lineman Marcus Mbow (knee), cornerback Paulson Adebo (knee) and safeties Jevon Holland (concussion) and Tyler Nubin (neck) are questionable. Tackle Andrew Thomas (groin) was limited Thursday and Friday and carries no designation.
We think the Texans win 24-17. Anderson and Hunter can pressure a protection missing depth at tackle and a quarterback making his first start for the club. Houston is chasing its first home win and Stroud is in form. McCarthy and Likely can keep the Giants close, but the home defense should control the fourth quarter.