Texans vs. Patriots, Week 14: Loss the 'wake up call' Houston needed

Through the course of an 11-1 start through the first 12 games of the season, there hasn't been much for Texans fans to be worried about. The team that focuses on running first and stopping the run had already established itself as one of the NFL's top groups and was one with high playoff hopes.

That much is still true after Week 14; however, there is certainly reason for doubt after a 42-14 rout at the hands of the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The secondary of the Texans was shredded by Tom Brady as the Patriots quarterback passed for 296 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

Despite the struggles, Uprooted Texan of SB Nation's Texans site, Battle Red Blog, said that he is still confident in the team and that the loss is something that the talented group needed with just a few weeks before the beginning of the postseason:

Now the Texans have to play their best ball the rest of the season. This is the wake up call they needed. There will be no coasting, there will be no margin for error, there will only be the kind of Texans football we've come to expect from the boys in steel blue.

I still believe in this team. I still believe this is our year. Our time is now, and nobody, not the cretins at ESPN, not the entitled New England Patriots, NOBODY will tell me otherwise!

The Texans have the chance to clinch the AFC South in Week 15 and stay at the top of the conference standings when they plays host to the Indianapolis Colts.