HOUSTON — Bill O’Brien was one of three former Bill Belichick assistants to have never beaten his old master.
When the Houston Texans prevailed 28-22 over the New England Patriots Sunday night at NRG Stadium, O’Brien left the company of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores to get his first win and improve his head-to-head ledger with Belichick to 1-5.
After the game, quarterback Deshaun Watson presented O’Brien with the game ball.
Game ball goes to OB.#WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/fTnS13wzhb
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 2, 2019
“It was big for both of us,” said Watson, who threw for three touchdowns and caught another from receiver DeAndre Hopkins. “We work together all the time. We had two tries since I’ve been here where we came up short.”
In 2017, in Watson’s second career start, Houston was three points away as the Patriots edged the Texans 36-33.
In 2018, New England held off a Texans comeback with Watson throwing a Hail Mary incomplete.
“You could see he was really happy about that, and the energy in this room after wins, especially that win, is irreplaceable,” safety Justin Reid said. “That’s the whole reason we play football is to come to the locker room afterwards and see it like we do.”
To give O’Brien the game ball was a meaningful moment for the Pro Bowl signal caller.
Said Watson: “Just being the quarterback of the team, it really came from everyone, but for me to present that, I bet it mean a lot to him and to us as an organization. It was awesome.”
The Texans are hoping to hand out more game balls as they gear up for the Denver Broncos, who visit NRG Stadium for Week 14.