‘It’s a big one for us,’ Texans finally earn first victory over Patriots at Gillette Stadium in franchise history

FOXBOROUGH. Mass. – Inside the Texans’ raucous post-game locker room late Sunday afternoon, coach DeMeco Ryans singled out several players for praise and a nod of respect after a blowout victory.

In a tradition that normally just extends a tangible piece of recognition for a few special performances by individual players, Ryans decided to award the entire football team game balls late Sunday afternoon.

That’s because a 41-21 win over the New England Patriots didn’t only represent a fifth triumph of the season and a more complete performance than usual for a talented yet inconsistent team that manages to come out on top despite plenty of self-inflicted blows. This marked the first win in franchise history at Gillette Stadium. After years of losing during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, the Texans finally came out on top for their first win here after an 0-7 run that included the playoffs.

“It’s never easy and I never take it for granted,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker for the AFC South franchise. “That’s a really good football team, and I never take it for granted that we were able to come here and get this win. It’s a big one for us. This, as an organization, our first time winning here in New England, so it’s a special game for everyone.”

On the road, the only place with more futility over the years for the Texans is at the Baltimore Ravens where they’re 0-8 at M&T Bank Stadium.

After years of being picked apart by Brady, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and losing the strategy battle to Belichick, the Texans came out on top for the first time.

From the infamous letterman jacket game in 2012 when an 11-1 Texans squad that included NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt was dominated, 42-12, during the regular season leading up to a 41-28 loss to the Patriots in the playoffs in the AFC divisional round to Brock Osweiler’s three-interception meltdown four years later in the playoffs to Brady outdueling Deshaun Watson during his rookie season, the Patriots have had the Texans’ number.

Yes, this edition of the Texans was reminded of the ugly past before kickoff.

“It means everything,” said Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who recorded a career-high three sacks Sunday. “It’s special, man. Coach was like, ‘Hey, you’ve got a purpose, let this be a purpose, let this be a reason why you go out there and dominate today, man.’ And it’s just something big because it’s bigger than me. It’s for the organization, for the fans, for everybody.”

Texans injury updates: Laremy Tunsil (ankle), Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) (click2houston.com)

Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud three threw touchdown passes. Running back Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in his first game back from a sprained ankle, also catching a touchdown.

The defense forced four turnovers, intercepting Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye three times. And rookie safety Calen Bullock intercepted one pass and recovered a fumble.

“First win against the Patriots in our organization’s history, so I thought that was cool,” Stroud said. “I felt like we were flowing in all aspects, you know, pass and run. Kind of just slowed down, you know, at the end of the first half. Can’t do that, but, other than that, I feel like we were hitting on all cylinders.”

The Texans are now on a three-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. They’re two games in front of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South division. And this 5-1 start ties the 2012 squad coached by Gary Kubiak for the best start in team history.

Stroud was a major reason why the Texans came out on top, adapting to the loss of star wide receiver Nico Collins, who’s on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He threw touchdown passes to Mixon and wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.

“C.J. was very efficient,” Ryans said. “He was poised, under control. That’s who C.J. is. He never gets too high or too low. He understands, when he does make a mistake, he understands instantly, and he’s able to fix it in-game, within series. So, very proud of C.J. and the way he played today leading our offense to get three touchdowns.

“Again, really tough defense, and for him to get three touchdowns, it was big. He doesn’t do it by himself, right? It’s our line. I thought they did a good job of protecting, and also Tank had a really nice game. Tank and Stefon, both guys stepped up. We were down not having Nico, who’s meant a lot to us, made a lot of plays for us, but Tank and Stef stepped up big time and made a lot of plays.”

The Texans, who have dealt with injuries, a proneness to penalties, uncharacteristic interceptions from Stroud and defensive breakdowns, manage to keep winning and winning and winning.

“It felt great,” Stroud said. “Of course, could have some things back and I think we definitely left some points out on the field still but to put that production on there, run and pass was great.”

“That was a dub, hard or easy, and today wasn’t easy. Just pulled it out faster. I definitely think that we needed to show that we can win early but, you know, that was great.”

Read more on the Texans:

• How Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair overcame an awful, sleepless night of vomiting, profuse sweating with an inspirational game
• Sources: Texans rookie starting corner Kamari Lassiter expected to miss multiple games with scapula injury
• ‘We have a lot of horses in the stable,’ Texans’ Stefon Diggs a focal point in matchup with Patriots, Christian Gonzalez
• Sources: Texans corner D’Angelo Ross slated to start against Patriots as replacement for injured rookie Kamari Lassiter
• Texans’ Joe Mixon practices again, expected to play Sunday, Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward out this week

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com