Welcome to the week the Patriots' offense gets healthy & other things you need to know about the Texans

Worried about the Patriots' offense and whether they have enough playmakers to beat the better teams in the NFL?

Well, enjoy that turkey a little longer on Thursday. Have that extra slice of pie. Undo that belt buckle.

You're taking this week off, because the Patriots — as average as they are compared to former versions of themselves — shouldn't have any issues going up and down the field and putting up points against a porous Texans defense on Sunday.

The Texans are bad. Like really bad. On film and in analytics. Those and four other Texans matchup thoughts coming right up...



Time for the Patriots' offense to feast

Everyone knows the Patriots' offense has struggled most of the season when not set up by the defense, especially the past four games when they've played better defenses. Between injuries and more injuries, and the arrival of new players (Mohamed Sanu), there's been very little continuity for the group and everything has been hard. If they have to go 80 yards against a capable defense under normal game situations, it's going to be a grind.

It feels like they need one of those games, like the Dolphins, Redskins and Giants where things are much easier, so they can feel better about themselves and gain some confidence.

Well, this is that type of week. Check out these stats:



These are basically all the areas where the Patriots' offense has been weak, especially staying on the field, sustaining drives and red-zone production. So something has to give, and I'm willing to bet it's going to be the Patriots' offense breaking out of its slumber.

Now, this isn't all the Texans' fault. They've had a ton of injuries, both major (J.J. Watt) and short-term (safeties Michael Adams and Justin Reid should be back from concussions) so the stats lie a little bit, but not a whole lot because...



Romeo Crennel just doesn't have it

I really need a 30 For 30 on the career of Romeo Crennel. Obviously he knows what he's doing because Bill Belichick has either had Crennel as a position coach as defensive coordinator, or his defensive coordinator as a head coach. And obviously his units have been productive for the most part. But let's be honest, he had Belichick and then he had a ton of talent in Houston and was pushed aside for Mike Vrabel at some point. And his Browns and Chiefs teams were ... not good.

Now, in Houston ... I've just never been enamored with his scheme. He plays very much "bend but don't break "and relies on, at times, overwhelming front-seven talent to do most of the work. He doesn't blitz very much, and the coverages are very, very vanilla.

Plus now — and I'm sure this is a byproduct of the injuries and a young secondary — the Texans play almost all zone now. And we know how that works against Tom Brady.

They're basically just hoping not to give up a big play and to play the percentages. Sounds like some Patriots defenses in the past ... yup, but they have Crennel and not Belichick.

The offensive line is getting better, but it's still not good

Nothing has prevented the O'Brien-era Texans from taking the next step and being a real AFC threat more than their porous offensive lines. I mean, it's been absolutely awful. From Duane Brown being hurt all the time, Xavier Su'a-Filo as an awful second-round pick, to a constant rotation of just terrible right tackles, the Texans have struggled to run the ball and to protect the quarterback every single season.

But they're starting to go in the right direction. Getting Laremy Tunsil at left tackle from the Dolphins was a huge coup. Center Nick Martin has been a very good player when healthy. Rookie left guard Max Scharping has a ton of potential. With three players to build off of, the needle, finally, is pointing up.

But right guard Zach Fulton and, especially, right tackle Titus Howard are subpar and can be taken advantage of.



Off-script Deshaun Watson is the most dangerous

The Texans' quarterback is a tremendous talent with great athletic ability, smarts, competitiveness and really nice touch to all areas of the field. As opposed to other talented players, he wants to be a pocket passer first. And I'm sure the Patriots will let him.

But if Watson's initial targets are covered up — and they will be against the Patriots' coverage — he will start to roll out, and that's where he kills the opponents. The Patriots should know this well. Watson, in his first game back from ACL surgery and far from 100 percent, carved them up in last year's season opener. The Patriots were lucky to survive.

It will be vitally important for the Patriots to play well past the time most plays are over. Watson can keep plays alive forever, and he's usually banking on defenses lacking discipline. The secondary should be ready to run. A lot. The defensive line rotations will also be important.



Expect a wrestling match between Stephon Gilmore and DeAndre Hopkins

I expect Belichick to give us the matchup we've all been waiting for in the All-Pro talents. They're similar in size, build and also playing style. That means things could get really physical. Neither player is a burner, so they rely on physicality, competitiveness and ball skills to win their battles — and they always win. Expect this to get really physical between the two players. Not sure how much the officials will let go.

I would expect the Patriots to put a safety over the top of burner Will Fuller and negate the big plays there. The offense overall is unimaginative. I think O'Brien's best scheme stuff has been neutralized because Watson is at his best in the shotgun, and O'Brien likes his quarterbacks under center ... at least he used to.