We gave our major takeaway from the loss to the Texans — that Tom Brady was not to blame for the offensive shortcomings in Houston — but there are a few lingering questions on the defensive side of the ball, namely why the Patriots were so aggressive, and putting Jonathan Jones in a no-win situation, on the Texans' drive after the failed fourth down to Mohamed Sanu.
Let's tackle that and then get into the unit grades against the Texans.
Why were the Patriots so aggressive?
At the time, the Patriots were down just 14-3. The Texans had the ball at their own 42-yard line with 7:08 left in the third.
If you're the Patriots, you're just fine with holding the Texans to a field goal with the entire fourth quarter to go.
Yet on the final three plays of the drive, the Patriots went with Zero blitzes, (Strict man-to-man, no safety help) on all three plays and left Jones out to dry by having him play off-coverage on each play. He got torched for 20 yards to Kenny Stills, the 35-yard touchdown to Will Fuller that got called back, and then the 35-yard touchdown that counted to Stills.
In each instance, Jones had to play coverage against a fast player with a 10-yard running head start. It was a no-win situation.
Why didn't the Patriots just play a more conservative coverage with the idea of holding them to a field goal? By playing this aggressive — on multiple plays, mind you — the Patriots dramatically increased the chances the Texans would score a touchdown, which was the last thing the Patriots wanted in that circumstance.
Very odd decision-making for the Patriots, but it fit on a night when they acted like the Bizarro Patriots.
Here are the positional ratings against the Texans:
OFFENSE
[table id=397 /]
Quarterback (4 out of 5)
We've been over this, but at the end of the day, I had Brady for six plus-plays and two minus-plays — the decision on 3rd and 6 where Jakobi Meyers stopped running (it wasn't going to happen and he had other options), and the throw high on the sidelines to Julian Edelman when he had Matt LaCosse open in the flat. ... Brady also invited one knockdown himself because he held the ball too long and had options. ... On the road and against an opponent that had a good and surprising plan with more man coverage, Brady played well enough to win.
Running backs (4.5 out of 5)
James White was just outstanding, mostly in the second half when the Texans stopped covering him with a defensive back and played more zone with the scoreboard in their favor. The Patriots need to find a way to do that earlier in games. ... I think it's time for White to possibly be used as the three-down back earlier in games. He's a better runner than Sony Michel and that dual-threat action would at least make the defense think more and benefit the offense overall. With such a lack of weapons, the Patriots need as many options on the field as possible. ... Not sure why Rex Burkhead isn't playing more. He had two really good runs and that was largely it.
Receivers (1.5 out of 5)
Julian Edelman, Matt LaCosse, and Jakobi Meyers each had at least three impactful plays, but all of them had several miscues that the Patriots just can't afford with such a slim margin for error. ... It's time to call more seam passes for LaCosse. He's capable of more. They need him. ... What you didn't see on TV is that the coaches ripped N'Keal Harry a new one after his sloppy route and lack of fight on the interception.
Offensive line (3.5 out of 5)
The three interior players (including both centers, Ted Karras, and James Ferentz) played a terrific game overall. Really controlled the middle of the line, including D.J. Reader. ... It's strange, Isaiah Wynn plays well overall, he's very smart, but he's getting beat a lot in pass protection. ... Marcus Cannon doesn't look healthy after the illness. Hopefully he gets stronger here. ... Order of effectiveness: Joe Thuney, Shaq Mason, the centers, Cannon, Wynn.
DEFENSE
[table id=398 /]
Defensive line (4 out of 5)
Thought the line overall was really good but there were some key miscues like John Simon missing what would have been a huge sack that ultimately contributed to a touchdown. Kyle Van Noy didn't hit the running back on the touchdown he gave up. ... One thing that was of concern because I think he could be a key player down the stretch, Chase Winovich struggled on the edge with more playing time and made some wrong decisions at times, drawing the ire of the coaches. That's not a good sign in Week 12. I would like to see more of Winovich but he's not helping himself. ... Danny Shelton was good but he got shoved around early. Lawrence Guy was outstanding the entire game. ... Another quiet game from Van Noy overall.
Linebackers (3 out of 5)
Not sure which linebacker, Dont'a Hightower or Ja'Whaun Bentley, was to blame for the Darren Fells touchdown. Don't think it was Jamie Collins who was feathering the read-option. ... Elandon Roberts had a defensive pass interference but he was left out to dry by JC Jackson it appeared.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
Don't think it was a banner day for the secondary, including Stephon Gilmore who, at the end of the day, lost his matchup against DeAndre Hopkins. It was close, but Gilmore, who also missed a tackle, got beat a little more. ... Patrick Chung had a 19-yard missed tackle. ... Jonathan Jones had some really good plays, and he was hung out to dry on his bad ones. Not his fault. ... This team needs more from Duron Harmon. Terrence Brooks is going to be a big player in the box down the stretch.
THREE UP
James White: Was finally the playmaker he's been in the past with Julian Edelman getting doubled teamed and shut down on just about every route. Had eight impactful plays (we'll ignore the hold).
Joe Thuney: Another clean sheet for the best offensive player week in and week out. Had four plus-plays, which is a lot for a lineman, and had a great hustle play on the Brady interception that was called back by penalty.
Lawrence Guy: Didn't seem to play a ton in the first half but he was dominating in the second half with Danny Shelton. Had seven impactful plays.
THREE DOWN
Receivers other than Edelman: N'Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Jakobi Meyers, and Phillip Dorsett combined for an interception, two drops, a failed third-down pass (Sanu) and five questionable routes. Not good enough.
Isaiah Wynn: Another six pressures allowed in his second game, including a few key ones. Wasn't terrible and I need to review the coach's film more closely to have a big opinion on this.
Marcus Cannon: Allowed 3.5 pressures and two stuffed runs. Seems to have lost some strength with the illness.