New England Patriots: Quick takes on thunderous comeback in Houston

There’s nothing like a game against the New England Patriots to raise the spirits of an atrocious opposing team to high levels early.

This Houston Texans team was shellacked and shut out 40-0 by Buffalo last week. Yet, the Texans took the kickoff and per usual, marched right down the field on a 10-minute plus drive to take a six to nothing lead.

Yet, somehow, someway the New England Patriots came from behind and beat the Texans 25-22 in Houston, as the Patriots upped their record to 2-3.

This win could make all the difference if the Patriots make their usual later-season improvements, polish up their offense and defense, and drive toward a playoff spot. We’ll see.

The New England Patriots were pretty ugly on defense early

In the first half, the Patriots’ defensive linemen couldn’t identify runners in the holes. And when they did, the tackling wasn’t great.

The offseason dedicated some big bucks on players to do just that. To try to stop the run. The additions of Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson (out for the year on IR) have done little to help at all.

The young second-round draftee, Christian Barmore looks pretty good. Yet, the coaches don’t play him enough. Hope they do. It looks like he can be a difference-maker.

The linebackers are also were slow to fill holes. And the defensive backfield got torched for a 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter and a lot more later.

And, as usual, in recent Patriots teams, the defense had trouble early getting off the field on third down and fourth and short. Frustrating.

Other than Matt Judon (see below) and maybe Lawrence Guy with a blocked punt no one else did too much of anything of great note on the defense.

Yet, this team traded away its best defensive back, Stephon Gilmore, last week for the huge return of a sixth-round pick. Brilliant.