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Who are the New England Patriots’ top threats to going 16-0?

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 14: Bill Belichick head coach of the New England Patriots greets Bill O’Brien head coach ofthe Houston Texans after the Patriots defeated theTexans 34-16 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 14: Bill Belichick head coach of the New England Patriots greets Bill O’Brien head coach ofthe Houston Texans after the Patriots defeated theTexans 34-16 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

5. Houston Texans

In 11 all-time meetings between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans (including playoffs), the Texans have emerged triumphant only once, way back in 2010 while Gary Kubiak was still the head coach. Since Bill O’Brien took over the Texans in 2014, Houston is 0-5 against Bill Belichick’s Patriots, getting outscored by a 2-1 ratio along the way.

So what makes this year’s Texans team any different than any of those squads?

It all starts with talent and experience. Even without Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans still boast one of the better defenses in the NFL. Whitney Mercilus and J.J. Watt both have the ability to blow open a game single-handedly at any point in time, and defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Romeo Crennel is still one of the better minds in football today. He and O’Brien also both know the Patriots well from their time spent together on Belichick’s staff in the early 2000s.

More than anything though, it’s the Houston offense that could pose problems for the Patriots down the line in Week 13. DeAndre Hopkins is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, and he’s joined by an explosive downfield threat in Will Fuller. Fuller has had a hard time staying healthy or on the field for previous matchups against the Patriots, but assuming both wideouts are active against New England, they could do major damage through the air.

Deshaun Watson is also a more experienced quarterback than he was last season in the 2018 opener between these two teams. He went into New Orleans on Monday night and almost led his team to an improbable road upset over a Saints team that many believe is a Super Bowl favorite this year.

Finally, the Texans look like they have a nice, complementary pair of running backs in Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, despite the fact that they lost starter Lamar Miller to a torn ACL in the preseason.

It’s still a bit of a long shot, but Houston could theoretically upend the Patriots on Sunday Night Football the first day in December… particularly since they’ll be playing at home that evening, too.

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