Painful loss leaves Texans with a lot to digest

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The only positive thing to come from the Texans’ pathetic performance at New England is the realization they can still secure home-field advantage with wins in their last three games.

If the Texans don’t play better — and a lot smarter — against Indianapolis and Minnesota than they played in their 42-14 loss to the Patriots, they could be doomed to road games in the playoffs.

At least the Texans are still unbeaten when they allow fewer than 42 points.

Considering how thoroughly they were outplayed and outcoached, the Texans are very fortunate to still be in control of their destiny. And it’s simple: Win out, finish 14-2 and host at least one playoff game at Reliant Stadium and maybe two.

Including a possible rematch with the Patriots.

The Texans (11-2) saw their six-game winning streak end. The Patriots (10-3) have a seven-game winning streak and own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The good news is coach Gary Kubiak won’t make the players turn in their leather jackets.

National TV disaster

I didn’t think the Texans would win, but I did believe they were beyond the kind of embarrassing performance they put on, especially penalties at the worst times and enough missed tackles to make you wonder if it’s become a lost art.

And Matt Schaub and the offense have basically been awful for six consecutive quarters.

The Patriots entered the game allowing a league-high 55 completions of 20 or more yards. They also lost cornerback Aqib Talib with a hip injury. And the Texans still couldn’t do anything about it.

The Patriots have won 21 consecutive games over the last half of the season. The last time they lost was in 2009 at Reliant.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who threw four touchdown passes, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who abused the right side of the offensive line, took the Texans to the woodshed for a spanking on national television they won’t soon forget.

Check out some of the mistakes they made that allowed the Patriots to blow them out.

The Patriots’ first touchdown was set up by bad punt coverage that allowed Wes Welker a 31-yard return to the New England 44. The defense had the Patriots stopped at the Houston 34, but rather than fourth down, Brady got a first down because cornerback Brandon Harris was called for holding Welker.

Mistakes aplenty

On first down, Stevan Ridley fumbled. Kareem Jackson had a shot at the recovery but couldn’t make it, and the Patriots had second down at the 7.

Then Brady threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez for a 7-0 lead.

The Texans blew a chance to tie the score when they reached the New England 21. Schaub threw to Kevin Walter in the end zone. Schaub zeroed in on Walter on the crossing route. He never saw Devin McCourty, who intercepted the throw.

On New England’s third touchdown drive, Danieal Manning was called for a questionable 26-yard pass interference penalty on third down. Three plays later, Brady threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Hernandez.

In the first half, the Texans ran out of downs at New England’s 33 when Walter dropped a fourth-down pass and their 38 on another Schaub incompletion.

Overall, it was the kind of game plan the Texans should burn and forget about or they’ll have nightmares about their trip to Gillette Stadium.