The Patriots headed to Houston with many fans convinced it would be a shut out game – I mean it’s the Texans right? But, I have to admit I was a little wary, and the Patriots team that does have potential, has had the inconsistency of a chameleon sitting on a rainbow! 

Seriously, the first quarter may have taken a few seconds off the lives of Patriots fans everywhere, with the Texans completing a 10 minute drive – a 10 minute 6 second drive to be exact. An 18 play, 79 yard, 10 minute 6 second drive that resulted in an 11 yard touchdown pass, actually. Oof! 

Once again, penalties were a “thing,” and the Patriots racked up a further 5, giving them a current season total of 41, did I say oof already? Early in the first quarter, around 2 minutes in, JC Jackson had a rather unnecessary holding on Brandon Cooks that gave the Texans a first down when they would have been punting, and well, 10 minutes 6 seconds, that’s all I’m gonna say.

So with repeating penalties, the bad list has a few of the same candidates week-to-week. On my list this week, to my surprise, was Devin McCourty and JC Jackson. Towards the end of the first quarter, there was some serious pressure on Davis Mills. He managed to lob the ball out to a receiver covered by both JC Jackson and Devin McCourty, and he slipped through their fingers for a Texans touchdown. McCourty had some uncharacteristically poor safety play as he seemed to sail past the receiver like a kitten on a freshly polished table. Not only that, but as the second quarter wound down and the Texans were at fourth and two, McCourty had terrible coverage. Following that very play JC Jackson had a further holding penalty and gave the Texans even more easy yards.

Now don’t get me wrong folks, there’s no hating towards either of these players, they had a not-so-great game and they weren’t the only ones! Jakobi Meyers’ end of second quarter “bumble” (Clareism, translation: where the catchable ball bounces around in a players hands) was tragic, Meyers was unmarked with plenty of empty field in front of him. 

The third quarter opened with a Texan interception. I have a few quizzicals about this play: Was Nelson Agholor not on his mark? Did Mac throw to where Agholor should have been, and was it actually a catch by the Texans? 

As the game rolled along, the Texans tried to get cute with a punt that had Lawrence Guy making a great play, knocking his mark back into the punter. The ball bounced off Terrence Brooks’ helmet and down 22 – 9, the Patriots got a boost! 

And speaking of boost, let’s move onto the good stuff shall we?

You and I both know that the tight ends make my good list most of the time, but I can admit when they don’t play so great, and I have. I haven’t been shy about my disconcert over some of Jonnu Smith’s playing, but he had some great blocks this week, and a number of catches. His mid-second quarter, fingertip catch had me certain his sticky gloves had arrived in the mail!

Hunter Henry continued to block well, with him and Jakob Johnson helping to make a hole for Damien Harris and his touchdown run! Not to mention Hunter’s own playmaking, with the play action pass from Mac that had me all tingly, and then the fourth quarter touchdown! And not to indulge, but another Hunter catch came around the 4 minute mark into the final quarter, giving the Patriots a first down, just sayin’.

Jakob Johnson only played 25% of the snaps, but with a mixed up offensive line his blocking was a key dynamic of this game, and I feel like I may repeat this most weeks, but Matt Judon is earning his dollar dollar bills all day long!

Overall I gotta say I think that the offensive line didn’t look as bad as I thought they might, and that is not a mark against any player’s name. I think many fans were concerned after the only “original” starting lineman was to be David Andrews.

As usual I try not to look at the numbers, and just look at the win. The only thing I want right now is Mac Jones’ safety and to win the games. If the Patriots have to scrap, so be it. There is still so much of the season journey ahead of us, so give me the bemuse and confuse of putting Mac Jones in motion; give me the razzle dazzle of the trick plays, and most of all give me the coffee, always with the coffee.

Go Pats!