[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

Such an oddly wonderful game. The Patriots, offensively, are a limited team without Gronkowski and without a meaningful WR aside from Edelman. Crennel finally adjusted his scheme to minimize Brady's outlets to the RBs. With Gronk around, Brady had that other premium outlet. Now, the defense can double Edelman, and Brady is left screaming at his other inferior receivers to be something they're incapable of being. How different this season might have been for the Patriots had either someone like Antonio Brown or Josh Gordon been able to stick around.

Defensively, the Patriots are very good. So it was very satisfying to see Watson maneuver the offense against them. Seems like a long time coming this season, but he and the Texans utilized Duke Johnson quite appropriately. I also think, until that deep TD pass that was ultimately dropped by Fuller, the Texans could have used Fuller and Stills to pressure the Pats D deep more often and stretch them vertically. Having Fuller (not to mention Stills) healthy alongside Hopkins makes this such a difficult offense to defend once Watson quits holding the ball too long. The Texans OL did not have a very good game today, but everything else worked regardless because of these things.

Defensively, the piecemeal secondary shined. It helps to look better when facing this subpar Pats WR corps, but the Texans have accumulated some intriguing parts which even tonight still haven't really been together very long or altogether healthy. But my fancy has been captured.

And while the front seven is still a bit soft in the middle against a better running offense, that they have found a useful cog from the Clowney trade in Jacob Martin is encouraging. Martin was just a 6th round pick a year ago. He has some pass rushing ability with more upside to go. All of the Texans LBs have their individual weaknesses, but the unit is stronger as a whole.

Paired with news that Watt may be recovering quickly enough for a playoff return, the defense may be improving at just the right time. The season could still be shaping up for road game in January at either New England or a rematch in Baltimore, but a team led by Watson with a solidifying defense may have a chance at a surprise.

Fuller makes all the difference. If he could catch he'd be the best WR in the league. Nobody can cover the guy. He just lines up and runs past the entire NFL. When you pair him with the best deep ball in the league it legitimately frightens the defense and opens up everything underneath.