FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Texans in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Sixth loss makes postseason run a long shot: The Patriots looked to have a shot at the postseason once they won two straight to get to 4-5, but a loss to the 2-7 Texans — who had only beaten the Jaguars — leaves them basically no room for error with four wild-card teams in front of them with three losses. Now, I'm not going to completely rule them out — I can't because before the season I predicted them to start 4-6 with a loss in Houston (OK, not this team) and for them to close with six-straight wins — but it does get a lot more challenging. You thought the Ravens win bought them an extra game, but then they gave it right back. Tough blow.
Defense had no answers for Deshaun Watson: The Texans' QB was 28 of 37 for 344 yards, two passing touchdowns, 36 yards rushing and another rushing touchdown on Sunday. Last year, Watson was 18 of 25 for 234 yards and three passing TDs. Combined: 46 of 62 for 578 yards, five passing TDs and six total TDs. Watson did whatever he wanted to in this game. The Patriots often played coverage in zone and he completely torched them. When they did decide to blitz, he made them pay. Watson was terrific in this game, and the Patriots were not. They allowed six pass plays of 20 or more yards. That's really not good.
Offense grinds to a halt: Things got off to a good start offensively for the Patriots as they rolled 84 yards in 10 plays and Damien Harris scored untouched from 9 yards out. After that, it was rough sledding for a while. Over the next four possessions — until the middle of the third quarter — the Patriots ran 22 plays for a total of 85 yards. Patriots weren't helped by a season-high seven penalties, for 55 yards. It seemed like every other play there was either a penalty, a poor pass by Cam Newton, a batted pass, missed block or just a flat-out negative play. This unit has a very narrow path to success and it doesn't include a grenade going off every other snap.
TURNING POINT
To me, this play near the end of the first half changed the complexion of the game.
3-7-NE 28 (3:13) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short right to J.White to NE 28 for no gain (T.Adams) [L.Johnson].
If the Patriots convert here, they certainly have the ball below the two-minute warning and set themselves up for a chance for a double score, down 14-10 to this point.
Josh McDaniels actually has a perfect play call against a blitz and man-to-man pressure. It's supposed to be a swing pass to James White in the right flat that involves a legal pick by Ryan Izzo that should have left White all alone with many yards to roam. Instead, Izzo overshoots LB Tyrell Adams, who is left to tackle White. Patriots punt, Texans score a TD to go up 21-10 at halftime. It's now a different game.
SECOND GUESS
Going away from Damien Harris so soon. Harris had 7 carries for 36 in the 1st quarter. The rest of the way, he had 4 for 7. Bill Belichick said after the game that he wasn't aware of any injuries. I know the coaches likely thought they needed to open things up the way the defense was roasted in the first half, but Harris is still the team's best offensive player and he needs to touch the ball more. Just one score would have made a difference for a while.
THREE UP
WR Damiere Byrd: Byrd set a career-high with 132 yards and a touchdown on six receptions (seven targets). He was about the only bright spot on the offense today. He also had a sensational third-down conversion late.
RB James White: Got back into the mix with 11 touches for 83 yards.
K Nick Folk: He's almost become automatic at this point.
THREE DOWN
TE Ryan Izzo: He blew several blocks in this game — again — and he might be lucky to be on the team come Tuesday with Jordan Thomas looking decent in his debut.
Defense as a whole: When you have four defensive backs (Adrian Phillips, Stephon Gilmore, Kyle Dugger and Jonathan Jones) lead the team in tackles, you're not doing a good job anywhere.
Steve Belichick: You can understand some of the issues on offense because of a lack of talent, but the defense was supposed to carry this team and Deshaun Watson had his way with the Patriots for the second-straight year. The three-man rushes weren't working. This pressure was easily picked up by a bad Texans offensive line that was missing BOTH tackles.
INJURIES
RB Rex Burkhead looked like he sustained a serious right knee injury and will miss the rest of the season.
LT Isaiah Wynn got rolled up on during the game's penultimate play and missed the 4th down.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Looked like the Texans were salivating without Tom Brady back there: The Texans did a really nice job against Brady down there last year, but this looked a lot different. It seemed as if the Texans took their intimate knowledge about how the Patriots operate offensively, knew the limitations Newton had in terms of changing plays and with protections, and they totally used it against them. I'm not so sure I've ever seen that many free rushers going at a Patriots QB. That added to the stress on this offense, that needs as little adversity as possible to move the ball consistently.
Season is still not over: The Patriots have backed themselves into a corner and, really, haven't shown much of an indication on offense or defense that they're going to play consistently, but if you're looking for me to bury the Patriots, I'm not going to do it. Everyone expected the Patriots to go 1-1 against the Ravens and Texans, and they did. Yes, it was the opposite way we all expected, but they're still in the same spot (right where I predicted they would be before the season). I still think they need to win out. Do I think they will do it? No. Could they? Yeah, that's still on the table.