Winners and losers from Patriots’ unsettling loss to Texans

This loss will doubtlessly shake New England.

Winner: Sony Michel, RB

If there’s one thing the Patriots offense is starting to do well, it’s the run game. They’re definitely not exceptional by any stretch. But they have been competent, which was a descriptor we couldn’t use just a few weeks ago.

The Patriots offensive line is creating more space, and Michel is doing a better job with those openings. At one point, his yards per carry fell down to 3.3. He finished Sunday night’s game with 10 carries for 45 yards. We finally got a chance to see the excellent vision Belichick has been raving about on a long run in the first half (video below).

Loser: Jon Jones, CB

He made a few brilliant plays in coverage of Kenny Stills, but quarterback Deshaun Watson was intent upon testing Jones, even immediately after the highlight-reel plays. Jones, for example, broke up a pass to Stills in the red zone in the second half. It was initially ruled a touchdown, but Jones clearly punched out the ball, which resulted in a reversal. But he couldn’t feel good about his play for long. Watson went right back at Jones on the following play for a touchdown to Stills — and they made it look easy.

Every one of Jones’ good plays got erased by a bad one. Jones had another pass breakup in third down in the first half — he committed a holding penalty in the second half.

The rough night came just one week before the Patriots play the Kansas City Chiefs, which is interesting because he covered Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game last year. After Jones struggled on Sunday, will the Patriots feel confident the cornerback can manage Hill, even with help from a double team?

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