3 Reasons why the Houston Texans can win against the Patriots

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 14: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots misses a pass while under pressure by Whitney Mercilus #59 of the Houston Texans in the first half during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 14: Dion Lewis #33 of the New England Patriots misses a pass while under pressure by Whitney Mercilus #59 of the Houston Texans in the first half during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 14, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 30: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots sits with Kristjan Sokoli #60 of the New York Giants during a pre-season NFL game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 30: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots sits with Kristjan Sokoli #60 of the New York Giants during a pre-season NFL game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

1. Patriots will take a step back    

This season expect the Patriots to take a step back this year compared to where they’ve been the past two seasons in being the AFC champions. Tom Brady is getting older so there is a chance that he might not be the same player he was last year. Most importantly though, the Patriots lost some important players over the offseason.

First off, starting wide receiver Julian Edelman will start the season on the bench during his four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. Additionally, the Patriots lost Danny Amendola to the Miami Dolphins during the offseason and traded star receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams. These two moves along with Edelman’s suspension will be very debilitating as the Patriots lost three starting receivers who were the main catalysts of offense last year.

As a result, I believe that the Patriots will not be as offensively potent, especially Sunday against the Texans. Additionally, the Patriots lost Dion Lewis, a fan favorite and a starting running back, during the offseason. Not only are the Patriots thin on the depth chart at running back, but also lost great talent in Lewis. That move will make the running game for the Pats even worse.

Last but not least, the Patriots lost Malcolm Butler, the leader of their secondary, a Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl hero. Butler provided leadership and defensive prowess that would have hindered the Texans. However, these major losses have created many holes in the Patriots roster, holes which will not only be exposed in Week 1 against the Texans, but for the rest of the season. A Texans win is imminent and inevitable.

Next. Houston Texans: Week 1 injury report 2018. dark

Score Prediction: 31- 24 Texans win in Week 1 over the Patriots.