Tough way to lose

Watson stars, but Brady dooms Texans in 36-33 loss

Brandin Cooks makes the game-winning catch with 23 seconds left. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The Texans almost did something they had never done before -- beat the Patriots in Foxboro. But in the end, they came up short again. 

They gave Tom Brady a chance late, and he took advantage. Brady threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game with 23 seconds left and the Patriots rallied to beat the Texans 36-33 in a heartbreaker for Houston.

Brady was phenomenal, completing 25 of 35 for 378 yards, the five TDs, one turnover on a fumble and his 50th career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime. The Patriots went 75 yards on eight plays on the winning drive and Brandin Cooks made a brilliant catch on the game-winner.

Offensively, the Texans did everything they needed to do to win the game. Deshaun Watson was outstanding in his second career start. He was 22 of 32 for 301 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 41 yards on eight carries and constantly eluded pressure. In fact,  the Texans played as well on offense as they have during the Bill O’Brien era. Watson was sharp, elusive and made plays. O’Brien’s playcalling was outstanding and tailored to Watson’s game.

But when it mattered, it was too much Brady. He did what he has done throughout his career. The Texans defense simply could not make enough plays when it mattered. 

Even losing the game, the future might be bright for the 1-2 Texans. They appear to finally have an answer at quarterback. He made one bad pass (the second pick was on a last second Hail Mary) but played well throughout and gave the Texans a chance to win.

The Texans had more yards (417-396), led in time of possession by five minutes, sacked Brady five times and led in the fourth quarter against the Super Bowl champs. They came within inches of winning the game on a late Corey Moore interception, but he could not hold the ball, and Brady made no mistakes after that.

The Texans held their own in the first half and trailed only 21-20. Watson was 12 of 16 for 123 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 27 yards on six carries, but for the most part the Patriots did a solid job of keeping him contained from breaking a big run.

The interception was bad, and looked like a miscommunication with Hopkins, who had four catches for 38 yards in the half and finished the game with seven for 78.

The defense had some breakdowns, leading to three Brady touchdown passes, but also pressured Brady and scored on a sack/fumble.

It set them up for a terrific second half, and a game the Texans had every chance to win.

But in the end, it was too much Brady. Again. And the Texans came up short in Foxboro.

Again.

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After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.

However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.

So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!

For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.

With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?

DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith

Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.

Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!

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