What experts are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Texans game

The Patriots are starting Drake Maye at quarterback in Sunday's game, but many still expect the Texans to win.

The plan was to give the kid his first NFL start against one of the best defenses in the NFL?

Here’s the dirty little secret we’re all aware of by now; there is no plan in Foxborough. There was never one to smooth the transition from Tom Brady. There was never any preparation for the future at Gillette Stadium unless we’re talking World Cup.

If there were any semblance of cohesion at Patriot Place, Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye might not be getting his first NFL start against one of the better defenses in the league. The Houston Texans are allowing opponents to complete passes only 51.7 percent of the time, best in the NFL. You can run on the Texans, though, which is where Maye is going to dazzle in comparison to Jacoby Brissett, whose ability to escape defensive pressure was something akin to “Bambi Meets Godzilla.”

The fact that Maye is getting the nod for a 1-4 team with the wheels falling off this week smells of the franchise distracting its fans with a shiny, new toy. What Maye will do with the elementary play-calling delivered to him by offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt might give you hope, but it’s not exactly a recipe for a turnaround either.

By now, the issues on the offensive line have become a cliche, the one aspect of the team that those who still want to sit the rookie like to point out. But Maye will be able to handle the rush better than Brissett, whose ultimate trick seemed to throw the ball to the sideline 45 times a game. Even as a rookie, Maye might understand the last pass of the game has to go INTO the end zone for any chance to score.

The Patriots may indeed look better on Sunday. That might be enough to regain the trust of their most devoted followers.

But to buy this maneuver as part of the “plan” would be foolhardy. Also, remember Jabrill Peppers?

This week’s picks:

Globe staff: Four of six go with Houston (-6.5).

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Texans 21, Patriots 17. “The Patriots will turn to rookie quarterback Drake Maye in this game. That’s the smart thing, even if he is facing a good Texans front. It’s time. But the Pats offense has issues that will limit him. The Texans haven’t been dominant on offense, and the Patriots play sound defense. Texans take it, but it’s close.”

CBS Sports staff: Five of eight pick the Texans (-7).

NFL.com staff: All Texans.

Jimmy Kempski, PhillyVoice: Houston (-7). “I’m not sure why the Patriots waited until Week 6 to start Drake Maye, but he’ll make his NFL starting debut against Houston. I don’t think that’ll go so well for him behind a brutally bad offensive line, and against a Texans defense that has been good against the pass through the first five games.”

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Texans 27, Patriots 13. “In the last three weeks — all New England losses — the Patriots have scored three, 13 and 10 points. The Texans are solid and have proven over and over they know how to win close games. This won’t be as close.”

Vic Tafur, The Athletic: Patriots (+7). “You gotta love the national media. All year long, they have been making kale faces at the Patriots, saying how bad Jacoby Brissett is. This week, the Patriots finally make the move and switch to rookie Drake Maye … and everybody screams. Not this week! Not with that offensive line against the Texans’ defense! Nooooo! Relax. First, Maye can actually run away from people and let it rip, unlike Brissett. Second, the Texans are a flawed team. They can’t run the ball (and Joe Mixon may still be out), they just lost their best receiver in Nico Collins and they lead the league with 47 accepted penalties. The Texans’ four wins have come by an average of four points and they’re coming off a last-second win over the Bills. Take the points.”

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Texans 21, Patriots 16. “Upset alert? Houston could arrive at risk of a letdown after big win against Buffalo last week, and Pats should enjoy a home lift with rookie QB Drake Maye making his maiden pro start. Also, Texans begin life after Nico Collins, with their top WR on IR — although they might have RB Joe Mixon back. But can Pats’ bad O-line protect Maye? Watch NE’s defense keep it inside the bet-line in low-scoring game.”

ESPN staff: Houston across the board.

MMQB staff: All Texans.

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Texans 23, Patriots 20. “The Texans will come in still battling some key injuries around C.J. Stroud, but they should be leaning plenty on the running game and defense in a positive game script. Stroud will face a few tough elements from Jerod Mayo’s defense, but Houston’s run blocking will compensate well with whoever’s in the backfield. With the Patriots considering starting Drake Maye at QB, they can get a little spark to make it closer than the score indicates in garbage time.”

Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Texans 23, Patriots 17. “The Patriots have lost two games by a combined total of eight points. New England is having trouble generating offense, and there is a chance Drake Maye will replace Jacoby Brissett soon. Houston is 1-1 S/U on the road. C.J. Stroud has been better away from home this season, but the Patriots will force a few turnovers to hang around. The Texans are 1-4 ATS as a road favorite since last season.”

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Texans 24, Patriots 13.

Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Texans 30, Patriots 17.

It says here: Texans 33, Patriots 21. Hopefully, Brissett spent time with Maye teaching him how to throw the ball away.