Houston Texans

Likes and dislikes from Patriots Week 3 win over the Texans

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jacoby Brissett (7) New England Patriots – Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans by a score of 27-0 in Week 3. There were plenty of likes and a few dislikes to name after the big win.

Here are the likes and dislikes from the Patriots win.

Like: Jamie Collins

The performance of Jamie Collins was simply spectacular. Not only did Collins lead the Patriots with eight combined tackles, but he also registered his second interception of the season.

If you aren’t mentioning Collins as a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, you are doing something wrong. For the second straight week, Collins swallowed the responsibilities of Dont’a Hightower and was a factor in just about every single play for the Patriots in Week 3.

It’s safe to say that retaining Collins is the top offseason priority for the Patriots in 2017. If tonight was any indication, the fourth-year pro is the most talented defensive player in the league after J.J. Watt. But after Watt’s quiet night in Week 3, it just may be Collins who is the most dominating on that side of the ball.

Patriots fans could not be happier with the performance of Collins. He is the most exciting player to watch on the field with that combination of physicality, ball skills and athleticism.

LeGarrette Blount (29) New England Patriots – Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Like: LeGarrette Blount

Admittedly, this writer is jumping for joy that the decision to start Blount in his fantasy football league paid off. The veteran ball carrier churned out 105 yards and two scores, including one from 41 yards out, on 24 carries.

In fact, Blount’s 105 yards outnumber the 103 throwing yards of Brissett. None of us were expecting Brissett to be a major force through the air, but it is nonetheless impressive that Blount gained more yards running the ball than his quarterback did throwing it in the 27-0 victory.

Going forward, expect Blount to continue being a central figure in the ground game. Any and all critics of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers running back should remember who is powering them through these games in the Brady-less period.

If you are lucky enough to own Blount in your fantasy football league, go ahead and start him. Even when Brady returns to the lineup, the Patriots are going to rely on Blount’s strong running to take pressure off that 39-year-old shoulder.

Brandon Bolden (38) New England Patriots – Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Like: Coverage team on kick returns

If I told you that Brissett would throw for 103 yards and the Patriots would prevail in this game by a score of 27-0, you wouldn’t believe me for a second. But that is exactly what happened, and here’s why: the special teams unit on kick return coverage.

The Patriots forced not one, but two fumbles and recoveries on special teams in Week 3.

First, it was Charles James who coughed up the ball after Brandon Bolden knocked the ball loose and Duron Harmon recovered the fumble.

Putting Tyler Ervin in the game didn’t change anything, as Ervin fumbled after a Nate Ebner crashed into him and Jordan Richards took advantage of the loose ball.

As you would expect, Josh McDaniels didn’t let his unit squander the opportunity. Much of the Patriots’ 27-point shutout victory can be chalked-up to outstanding coverage on kick returns by the special teams.

The “do your job” moniker is not just some cutesy marketing tactic by the Patriots. It is very much a real thing, as the Patriots reaped the rewards of the special teams buying into their roles and excelling in their duties in Week 3.

Jacoby Brissett (7) New England Patriots – Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Like: Jacoby Brissett

We have to mention the quarterback who orchestrated the win by maintaining his poise and simply doing what was asked of him in Week 3. Brissett piloted the ship, and most of all, he did not make a single major mistake in the Patriots’ shutout win.

Brissett wasn’t a fantasy football stud by any means, but he was never supposed to be. The rookie won like Brady often won in the early days of his glorious career, by making the throws he had to make with an effective running game and an suffocating defense assisting him.

The story of the 2016 Patriots is already being shaped by the next-man-up philosophy. The Patriots adjust like they had to in Week 3, giving Brissett a digestible grouping of plays to execute, which he did successfully.

Outstanding coaching was a major reason behind the strong play of Brissett.

Cyrus Jone (24) New England Patriots – Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Dislike: Cyrus Jones fumbling

The one eyesore from last night’s game was the shaky ball security of rookie cornerback and return man Cyrus Jones, who fumbled on two occasions.

Simply put, Jones will not last in New England if he continues to demonstrate inability hanging onto the ball on returns. The rookie out of Alabama possesses insane talent, but it won’t matter if he can’t keep the ball in his arms.

Look, this writer wants Jones to succeed returning punts more than anybody. If Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman can be held out of harm’s way, then that’s awesome. Jones is a solid cornerback, but he is much more replaceable in terms of the wholistic 2016 end goal than the likes of Amendola and Edelman.

Fingers crossed that Jones hangs on to the ball better in Week 4 and beyond.

Keep your eyes peeled on Musket Fire as we bring you fresh points of analysis today and tomorrow in the wake of the Patriots’ stunning Week 3 success.