The Houston Texans (2-4) host the New York Giants (3-2-1) in a Week 7 NFL matchup this Sunday afternoon at Reliant Stadium.

Here are six things to know before kickoff.

The series

This is the seventh meeting between the two clubs dating back to 2002 when the Texans entered the NFL as an expansion team. The Giants lead the series, 5-1, and won the last meeting, 24-16, at MetLife Stadium on November 13, 2022.

The Giants have won the last five meetings. The Texans' only win came in the inaugural matchup in 2002.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh has a lifetime record of 11-3 against Houston, all in the regular season. The Texans' DeMeco Ryans has never faced the Giants as a head coach.

The Texans so far

Houston began the season with four consecutive losses to Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dallas. Three of the four losses were by a combined 11 points.

They have won their last two games, a 26-3 romp over Tennessee on the road and a thrilling, much-needed 34-31 win over the Jaguars in London last weekend.

Where the Giants are

Big Blue has been flying by the seat of their pants the last five weeks. After opening strong with a 28-20 win over Dallas at home, they've gone 2-2-1, taking the fans on a wild rollercoaster ride.

They are on a two-game winless streak after tying the Commanders on the road and dropping a 34-17 decision to New Orleans at home last Sunday. They had opportunities to win each game in the fourth quarter and in overtime, but fell short.

What's at stake

The Giants, despite their recent stumbles, remain a game-and-a-half in first place in the NFC East. They will remain in first place when they head into their bye after Sunday's game in Houston.

The Texans are currently in third place in the NFC South with a 2-4 record. They are technically tied for second with Indianapolis, but since they lost earlier this season to them, they do not have the tiebreaker.

They are two games behind Jacksonville, whom they beat last week, for the division lead.

Texans players to watch

Quarterback C.J. Stroud is aiming for his fourth game in a row with a 65-plus completion percentage, 260 or more passing yards, a touchdown pass, and a 105-plus QB rating. He has 3,993 passing yards (249.6 per game) and 22 touchdown passes in 16 starts versus the NFC.

Wide receiver Nico Collins had 74 receiving yards last week against Jacksonville. He's going for his 14th game in a row with 55-plus scrimmage yards. He has 75-plus scrimmage yards and a touchdown catch in three of his past four at home. Collins had a touchdown reception in the last meeting against New York.

Defensive end Will Anderson leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks. He has 0.5-plus sacks in five of his past six overall and a tackle for a loss in four of his past five at home.

How public bettors see the game

The point spread opened at Houston -7.5 and has climbed to 10.5 over the past few days. The over/under is 43 total points, and the money line is Houston -522, Giants +392.

Translation: The oddsmakers and public bettors aren't giving the Giants much of a chance for a straight-up win. The uncertainty at quarterback and the wild swings in their games have driven bettors off them.

That aside, the Giants are 4-2 against the spread this year. The Texans are 2-4 and 0-3 at home.