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Houston Texans: Next 3 weeks of season is a gauntlet

By Stephen Forsha

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass under pressure from Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass under pressure from Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

Week 13: vs. New England Patriots (8-1)

OK, if the Houston Texans want to show what the 2019 version of this team is made of, there is no better time than in front of a national primetime audience when they host Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, who are also the leaders of the AFC East.

Looking back at the all-time results listed by Football Database between the Texans and Patriots, it is New England who holds all of the cards — having a 10-1 overall record in games against the Texans. The only time the Texans have won against the Patriots was on Jan. 3, 2010 when they held the Patriots to zero touchdowns and one interception.

Since then, the Patriots have defeated the Texans eight straight times, including wins in 2015, ’16, twice in ’17 (once in the ’16 season playoffs) and last season in Week 1 when the Texans lost by a 27-20 score.

On the Week 10 bye week for the Patriots, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald asked if Brady can still put the Patriots on his back to win games:

"“Can the six-time Super Bowl champ still put the team on his back and pull out a win? ESPN analyst Damien Woody wasn’t so sure. Given the issues with the offensive line, and lack of weapons, coupled with his age, he thought Brady’s cape-wearing days might be over.”"

The Texans have been close as of late against the Patriots, but head coach Bill O’Brien just hasn’t had the team, and hasn’t done enough, to gain a victory over his former boss in New England, the job that helped prepare him to be the head coach in Houston.

Like with the Colts, this 2019 Texans team needs to prove they can play with the best of the best in the AFC. A win would be huge against the Tom Brady-led Patriots, but that is much easier said than done.

Playing on Sunday Night Football against maybe the best team in the NFL is what the Texans need, and a good outing against New England could get this franchise the respect they need.

dark. Next. Texans’ free agent acquisitions through the bye week

More importantly, a win against the Patriots would change the entire outlook for the rest of the regular season from that point forward.

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