How bad was the Houston Texans loss to the New England Patriots this past Thursday?
It was so bad, I still cannot believe the Texans did not cross the 50 until late in the third quarter. So bad that the supposed, great Texans defense let a rookie, Jacoby Brissett, shine instead of its own $72 million quarterback (Brock Osweiler).
It was that bad and more.
Houston has a problem, and that is obvious. It is not that the quarterback on the team is terrible and will turn out to be a bust.
The defense is not as bad as what it was made to look against the Patriots.
Houston’s problem was more about the opponent and not itself.
New England had a better coach, was more prepared and was in the heads of the Texans as soon as the game started.
Folks, this is Bill Belichick we are talking about. The Texans didn’t lose Thursday to the San Francisco 49ers or to the Cleveland Browns.
The Patriots are playing inspired football this season after the four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady. Oh, and the Patriots are 3-0 with one game left on that suspension.
Houston does have problems. Osweiler could be a little more careful with the football.
The offensive line does need to block better for the run game. Will Fuller V does seem to drop a pass every game.
Houston’s special teams needs a new returner because anyone who has been back there so far has been horrible.
These are all problems coach Bill O’Brien can fix.
The Texans’ best offensive lineman, Duane Brown, will soon return from an injury so that will help the running game.
I don’t expect Osweiler to continue to throw interceptions all season long. He is better than he is playing right now.
Once those things get corrected, then running back Lamar Miller will also turn into the runner the Texans were hoping he would be.
And as for the defense, they are still very good.
It doesn’t seem this year’s defense will rely 100 percent on J.J. Watt to make plays. Jadeveon Clowney, Benardrick McKinney, A.J. Bouye and Whitney Mercilus are all playing great football to start 2016.
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By the way, Brown became the first Texans to publicly make a demonstration during the national anthem.
Brown held a fist up in the air while it was playing in New England last Thursday. I credit Brown for using his freedom of speech in a tasteful way.
O’Brien felt the same way.
“Duane Brown expressed himself during the anthem, which is his right,” O’Brien said Friday. “It is his right of free speech. It’s his right to do what he did during the anthem last night. I support his individual right to do that.”
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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe