The New England Patriots lost their sixth game of the season against the Houston Texans on Sunday, dropping to 4-6 on the year. Along the way, they played some disappointing football in all three phases of the game again and failed to make enough positive plays to compete against a team that had won just two games entering Week 11.
With all that said, there were some positives from the Patriots as well — and we’ll take a look at them right now. You probably know the drill: take a look at the candidates, and please make sure to vote for your favorite below. The play with the most votes, as always, will be broken down in greater detail later during the week.
1.) Damien Harris scores untouched
Damien Harris is in! pic.twitter.com/aHcUfIA1r2
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) November 22, 2020
New England ended the game in disappointing fashion, but started fast: the team scored just its second first-quarter touchdown of the season on its opening possession. The play itself was a beauty: Damien Harris received the toss from Cam Newton out of the i-formation and was able to reach the end zone untouched from nine yards out behind some good blocking from Jakob Johnson, Michael Onwenu and Damiere Byrd.
2.) Burkhead to Newton to Meyers
Trickery!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 22, 2020
: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/6odwFYutwb
One week after wide receiver Jakobi Meyers threw a touchdown pass, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels again went into his bag of tricks. In the second quarter, he called a double pass that involved a toss to Rex Burkhead, a lateral pass across the field to Cam Newton again, and a downfield throw. While Damiere Byrd was open deep, Newton decided to go to Jabobi Meyers for a 20-yard gain.
3.) Damiere Byrd catching a bomb
Byrd is the word. pic.twitter.com/zv5Qa5prNn
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) November 22, 2020
Heading into Week 11, Cam Newton had not thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver all season. That changed midway through the third quarter, when the former league MVP connected with Damiere Byrd for the Patriots’ longest offensive score of the season: Newton threw a deep ball from 42 yards out that Byrd hauled in for a touchdown — his first a Patriot, and one of the few highlights from New England’s perspective.
4.) Byrd coming up big again
Cam dropping DIMES @CameronNewton @LookIn_Da_Miere @Patriots
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 22, 2020
#NEvsHOU on CBS pic.twitter.com/I2DrQkpck7
Damiere Byrd had a career performance against the Texans, registering the first 100-yard receiving game of his six-year career in the NFL. While his touchdown stands out, he also made a spectacular catch to convert a 3rd-and-8 in the final period. Byrd came back perfectly for the ball, and made one of the best catches of his season along the way.
Now it’s your turn: What do you think was the biggest play from the Patriots’ loss in Houston?
Poll
Which play was the biggest from New England’s loss in Houston?
This poll is closed
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2%
Damien Harris’ touchdown
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6%
Burkhead-Newton-Meyers
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80%
Damiere Byrd’s touchdown
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3%
Damiere Byrd’s third down catch
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5%
Other (please name in comments)