Dec 1, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes the football during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It was not a good night for the New England Patriots.

The defending Super Bowl champions looked completely depleted against the Houston Texans as they dominated in just about every facet of the game. In the end, the Texans won 28-22 but it was a game where the score didn’t tell the complete story.

The Patriots got out to an early 3-0 lead but that was short lived. Once Bradley Roby picked off Brady toward the end of the first quarter, things kinda unraveled for the Patriots.

Deshaun Watson connected with his running back Duke Johnson for their first touchdown. Then after a Pats punt, Watson marched down the field on an 88-yard drive ending with an effective play action pass to Darren Fells for the score.

The Patriots were struggling but they were only down 14-3 at halftime. And considering they were getting the ball the second half, there was plenty of time for a patented Tom Brady comeback.

We were teased that comeback but it didn’t immediately happen. The Patriots failed the convert on 4th and inches and on the ensuing drive, Watson threw it deep to Kenny Stills for the touchdown.

After the Patriots scored their first TD (and missing the PAT), the Texans employed a bit of trickery as they pulled off a double handoff option for the touchdown. Watson and DeAndre Hopkins switched places as Hopkins threw the ball to Watson for the score.

The Patriots tried to come back but it was too little, too late. James White stepped up and scored his second receiving touchdown of the night but a failed two-point conversion kept them down by 13. Another touchdown made it a six-point game but a failed onside kick sealed the Pats’ fate.

This became a huge win not only for the Texans but for the coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and head coach Bill O’Brien were both assistants under Bill Belichick and anytime you can get a win over your mentor and arguably the greatest NFL coach in history, that’s a major feather in your cap. The Texans also remain ahead of the Titans for the AFC South lead.

The loss was big for New England. Even though it was just their second loss, the loss put the Ravens as the top seed in the AFC due to their win over the Patriots almost a month ago. A lot of people will be asking if this is the end of the Patriots dynasty or if this is the end of Tom Brady.

I’ve learned never to doubt the Patriots. Just when you think they’re out, they’re going to come back better than ever. They want fans and the media to doubt them, they want that “no one believes in us” belief. It may be tougher for the Patriots than it may have been a month ago but don’t be surprised if they are at their familiar spot on the podium and lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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