2020 ScheduleAll times ET

2020 Schedule
4-6, 3rd in AFC East
Kingsbury says season with Patriots was 'incredibly valuable' (0:45)
7h

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

"I think we have a good football team here. Unfortunately for us, we haven't been able to make those handful of plays that we need to make to get over the hump and win games. That's how thin the margin is in the National Football League." — captain Matthew Slater, on the 4-6 Patriots

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Jakobi Meyers played 68 of 69 snaps, and had 3 catches for 38 yards (on 3 total targets). Did he notice the Texans did anything to take him away?"Definitely. They had play calls where the safety would dive on me," he said late Monday afternoon. "That's how we ended up making the play on Damiere's touchdown."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

After waiving 2017 third-round pick Derek Rivers and 2019 fourth-round pick Hjalte Froholdt on Saturday, the Patriots might have hoped to bring both back to their practice squad, but that won't be happening. Rivers was claimed on waivers by the Rams on Monday, while Froholdt was claimed by the Texans. With the Rams playing Monday night, their waiver claim of Rivers will officially be processed Tuesday. Both had slid down the depth chart in recent weeks.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Patriots offensive snaps: "Passing back" James White (39) spikes, in part due to Rex Burkhead's injury and also a plan that trended toward the pass. This was one snap shy of his season high (40, vs. KC). Fellow RB Damien Harris (26) had his third highest total of the season, but it didn't seem enough vs. the 32nd-ranked run D.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Patriots defensive snaps (with special teams in right column): Highlighting a notable CB switch with J.C. Jackson (59) getting the start and bulk of snaps over Jason McCourty (27). Also, top pick Kyle Dugger (46) is becoming a bigger part of plan with his second-highest total (56, vs. Ravens).

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Veteran safety Adrian Phillips: "It's been must-win for us the past 3-4 weeks. We have 6 losses now. It is what it is. We can't lose another one. We felt like that when we had 5 losses, but it's even more now. Losing to these AFC teams doesn't help either; we know our back is against the wall."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Cam Newton on what led to J.J. Watt batting down four passes: "He's J.J. Watt." When asked a follow-up question on the topic, Newton added: "He's an all-pro, perennial all-pro. He's a defensive Player of the Year, one of the best players in this generation. So for us, it is what it is. They get paid too..."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Patriots WR Damiere Byrd, a bright spot, recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game (6 for 132, TD). Asked how he balances a loss and solid individual effort, he said: "It's not really a balance. We lost the game. That's really what I'm out there to play for. To win."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Bill Belichick: "Disappointing. But we'll turn the page and move on. Still have a lot of confidence and belief in the team. If we can just do things a little bit better, I think the results will be different, and better. We just couldn't do it today."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Devin McCourty (on 2nd-half adjustments): "Doing a better job on those (tight ends). They did a good job of kind of pushing off and then running away from our leverage, and (Deshaun) Watson was doing a good job finding them. They have some big TEs and they used their size (well) against us."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Running back Rex Burkhead took a direct hit to his knee early in the third quarter and remained down for an extended period of time, needing help to get up. Burkhead's injury appeared to be serious, as he was carted to the locker room, with the Patriots quickly ruling him out. That leaves the Patriots with just two running backs: Damien Harris and James White. The Patriots activated Sony Michel off injured reserve on Saturday, but made him inactive for the game.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Texans 21, Patriots 10 (halftime): Tackling -- poor. Coverage -- poor. Pass rush -- poor. Time for the Patriots to change things up in the second half to disrupt Deshaun Watson. Also, after a strong running game to open, they get away from it, and out of rhythm. The Patriots get the ball to open the second half, and a strong opening drive would go a long way to helping them get back into it.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Patriots inactives: RB Sony Michel, WR Isaiah Ford, CB Myles Bryant , QB Brian Hoyer, RB J.J. Taylor, DT Adam Butler. Some might ask: Why activate Michel off IR if he would be inactive? Insurance and he is healthy.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

The Patriots have elevated veteran WR Donte Moncrief from the practice squad for Sunday's road game against the Texans. Moncrief adds another option at the position, with N'Keal Harry landing on the injury report on Friday (shoulder/questionable). The Patriots also have Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd, newly-acquired Isaiah Ford and Gunner Olszewski at receiver. As for Moncrief, he was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 4. He has 204 receptions for 2,561 yards and 21 TDs in his career.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

The Patriots have ruled out DT Adam Butler (shoulder) and RB J.J. Taylor (unknown) for Sunday's game against the Texans. Butler has played 39.3% of the defensive snaps, with 13 tackles on the season. His top asset is as an interior pass-rusher in obvious passing situations, and newly acquired Isaiah Mack now projects to that role. Taylor likely would have been inactive regardless.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer 

Patriots injury report: QUESTIONABLE – LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin), DT Adam Butler (shoulder), K Nick Folk (back), CB Stephon Gilmore (knee), DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder, elbow, knee), LB Terez Hall (shoulder), RB Damien Harris (ankle, chest), WR N'Keal Harry (shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring, hand), G Shaq Mason (calf), OLB John Simon (elbow), ST Matthew Slater (knee), G Joe Thuney (ankle), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee, hand), LT Isaiah Wynn (ankle).

Team Stats

Passing Yards210.227th
Rushing Yards153.64th
Points For20.926th
Points Against23.8Tied-19th