Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans was a major setback for the Patriots.
Winners of two straight coming in, they had a chance to gain some ground in the AFC East and significantly improve their playoff odds. Instead, they faltered against a 2-7 team, lost running back Rex Burkhead to an apparent knee injury, and came up short in a one-score game for the fourth time this season.
It wasn’t all bleak, though, as wide receiver Damiere Byrd was a catalyst and steady presence for New England. The 5-foot-9 wide receiver, who’s in his fifth year in the league and his first with the Patriots, racked up a career-high 132 receiving yards on the day and reeled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton in the third quarter.