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Week 3: Texans – Patriots Game Analysis

By Jaydeen Allen

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates his touchdown run against the Houston Texans with the End Zone Militia during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) celebrates his touchdown run against the Houston Texans with the End Zone Militia during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) tries to push away New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Butler (21) New England Patriots – Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

More Positives

  • The Patriots secondary played lights out vs. Texans receivers. This possibly was the biggest match-up throughout the game. They also smartly as they had their #1 CB on the Texans #2 WR and their #2 CB + Safety on the Texans #1, essentially taking away both of the Texans’ best options.
  • Patriots DBs are willing to tackle and play the run very well
  • DE Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, and Trey Flowers all impressed on the edge against the Texans OL that struggled for most of the night. Definitely looks as if Long is rejuvenated in New England.
  • Patriots DL were able to constantly put pressure on Osweiler, and by the end of the game had him spooked
  • Drop back by LB Jamie Collins into coverage results in INT and shows how great Collins is as a coverage linebacker. QB Brock Osweiler also did not anticipate him dropping back as far as he did. Collins was by far the Patriots best defender on the field that game, and bounced back from a rough outing vs. Miami.
  • The Patriots did not allow the Texans offense to cross the 50-yard line until there was under 1:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
  • The Patriots continue to laugh at the new touchback rule and take advantage of it. They have elected to kick it just short of the end zone on most kickoffs. In doing so this game, it resulted in two great fumbles created by RB Brandon Bolden and S Nate Ebner. Expect to see this throughout the season. Not sure teams have yet caught on to Belichick’s smart and crafty decision.
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