Here are our winners and losers from the Patriots 27-0 victory over the Texans.
Winner: P Ryan Allen
If there were an MVP award for the game, it would go to Allen who had a wildly impressive day punting. Every single punt landed on the 20-yard-line or inside it as he forced the Texans to start on the 11-, 10-, 10-, 20-, 14-, 5-, and 4- yard lines. That’s insanity.
Winner: QB Jacoby Brissett
He might have been a pedestrian 11 of 19 (58%) for 103 yards and no touchdowns as a passer. He added an excellent 48 yards and a touchdown as a rusher and he, most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over. He played the perfect game and capitalized on his opportunities.
Loser: Red zone offense
The Patriots settled for field goals from the Texans 6- and 7-yard lines which, luckily, didn’t come back to bite them. The offense will have to find a way to punch the ball into the end zone.
Winner: Offensive line
Brissett was sacked once, which is impressive since mobile quarterbacks at taken down more frequently, but the Texans pass rush didn’t get anywhere near the quarterback all day. The Patriots also averaged 4.7 yards per carry on the ground.
Loser: CB Cyrus Jones
Jones might have seen time on defense ahead of Justin Coleman, but he put two punt returns on the ground and lost his job to Danny Amendola in the 4th quarter. He needs to have far better ball security.
Winner: LB Jamie Collins
Collins collected an interception and he was dominant around the line of scrimmage. He led the team with 14 tackles. He established himself as one of the most dominant linebackers in the league and he did it without his partner Dont’a Hightower. This team is just scratching the surface.
Winner: ED Jabaal Sheard
Sheard collected 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 tackles for loss. He played at the level we all hoped he could and he sustained it all game. Whatever injury he was battling in the preseason seems to be in the past.
Winner: Patriots coaching staff
This is a cumulative award, in my opinion, but can you think of a more impressive 3-game stretch by the Patriots coaching staff? Ever? I can’t. Maybe the 2001 playoffs, but seriously, this is a masterpiece effort.
Loser: Houston Texans
They lost to a third string quarterback in prime time. It doesn’t get much worse.