Why Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye could struggle in debut vs. Texans

Through five starts, Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett went 1-4 and failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in any of those games, so giving Maye the keys does make sense. Still, couldn't New England have made the change before an easier matchup?    

The Texans (4-1) rank third in the NFL in passing yards allowed (154 YPG) and eighth in passer rating allowed (81.6).      

In Houston's 23-20 Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills (3-2), Bills QB Josh Allen completed 9-of-30 passes for 131 yards and one TD, posting a season-low 56.4 passer rating.

Maye could also face constant pressure against the Texans. The Patriots offensive line is among the worst in the league. According to The 33rd Team, the unit is 30th in QB sack rate (11.7%), 30th in pressures allowed (79) and last in percentage of dropbacks with a pressure (46.2%). Houston, meanwhile, has 15 sacks, tied for seventh in the NFL. 

The North Carolina product could come out and excel against the Texans, but that's probably not going to happen. 

Even Hall of Fame QBs flopped in their debuts. For example, three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman went 17-of-35 passing for 180 yards and two interceptions in his first game with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989.

If the 22-year-old struggles Sunday, the Patriots must remind him that growing pains are typical for rookie signal-callers. They don't want him to lose confidence, which could prevent him from reaching his potential.