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Patriots kept J.J. Watt from having any impact on the game

LeGarrette Blount, J.J. Watt

New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) gains yards past Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

After last night’s loss to the Patriots, J.J. Watt talked to reporters. Which was helpful, since it reminded them that he was there.

Watt’s stat line included two tackles and no quarterback hits, but he had very little impact on the game at all.

They played a great football game,” Watt said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “They played very well. They deserved to win. We didn’t play well. They did a great job all-around. We didn’t do a good job. I think we just got outplayed.”

“Hats off to them. I think there’s obviously a lot of things we need to clean up. There’s a lot to look at on that tape and correct. We obviously didn’t play well.”

Apparently, they didn’t play well.

The Patriots having a mismatched offensive line didn’t matter, as they held the three-time defensive player of the year in check throughout. Perhaps it’s still rust after late-offseason back surgery, but he had 1.5 sacks last week against the Chiefs.

The Patriots also slowed teammate Jadeveon Clowney’s hot start to the season, limiting him to two tackles.

The Texans led the league with 9.0 sacks through two games, but added just one to that total last night.