DEFENSIVE BACK
Three interceptions, three sacks and an 18.8 percent conversion rate on third down usually means the secondary was a rolling ball of butcher knives. It was more like steak knives because Brock Osweiler did much to contribute to his sad numbers, but the secondary still was sharp enough to do damage. Cornerback Malcolm Butler had tight coverage most of the night but got lucky when beaten on a deep post by Will Fuller, who dropped a sure touchdown on the best ball Osweiler threw all game. Other than that, he allowed two completions for 14 yards. Corner Logan Ryan had an interception, two pass breakups and a sack off a corner blitz on which he leveled Osweiler. He also made a nice tackle that dropped Keith Mumphery short of a first down. His diving interception came on a pass that tipped off the outstretched fingers of DeAndre Hopkins on a ball Osweiler threw way too high. Corner Eric Rowe had brain lock and was flagged for pulling a Texans player off a pile after a failed third down. Bill Belichick chewed his ear off, which was only part of a bad night. He allowed 40 yards on three targets, all catches. Safety Devin McCourty read Osweiler perfectly on a third-down throw to Hopkins, changing the coverage and then baiting him into believing he had backed off. The moment the ball was in the air, McCourty undercut Hopkins and picked it off. Patrick Chung had pretty good coverage, and fellow safety Duron Harmon picked off a badly overthrown pass late in the game.