{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/spark_patriots_texans_best_worst.jpg","caption":"

The Patriots had to deal with a flu bug that ravaged the locker room over the past week... and then turned in a performance sure to make Bill Belichick sick.

The inside track to the #1 seed? Gone. The Patriots and Ravens now have identical 10-2 records, but Baltimore owns the tiebreaker, thanks to a 37-20 drubbing in Week 9. And now New England has just a one-game lead over the Bills in both the AFC East and the race for a first-round playoff bye.

Without further ado, here are the best (few and far between) and worst (plentiful) from the Patriots' 28-22 loss in Houston.

"},{"index":3,"title":"WORST PREGAME WARDROBE DECISION","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/texans_helmets.jpg","caption":"

The Texan linebackers who showed up looking like they got lost on the way to a bachelorette party. They were dressed as members of a SWAT team. Interesting tactic.

WATCH: Texans LBs show up to game in SWAT gear

"},{"index":5,"title":"BEST ANTHEM RENDITION BY A UNIQUE LOOKING MAN","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/lyle_lovett.jpg","caption":"

Lyle Lovett, accompanied by a violinist, gave a real nice anthem rendition. Kinda looks better now than when he landed Julia Roberts.

"},{"index":7,"title":"DIRTY BARKEVIOUS","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/barkevious_mingo_texans_1.jpg","caption":"

Former Patriots Barkevious Mingo turned in a stupid and costly penalty on the Patriots' first drive, driving a shoulder into an already dropped Julian Edelman. Edelman had lost seven yards on the play before Mingo got flagged for the unsportsmanlike conduct.

"},{"index":9,"title":"BEST REGRESSION","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/laremy_tunsil_texans.jpg","caption":"

Houston left tackle Laremy Tunsil started hopping up and down like an 8-year-old when flagged for a hold in the first half.

"},{"index":11,"title":"INSPIRED ACTING","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/120119_van_noy_.jpg","caption":"

After a first-quarter sack that snuffed a Texans drive, Kyle Van Noy laid down on the turf, bent one leg over the other, draped his arm over his forehead (or the helmet over his forehead) and paused. I think he was feigning sickness?

"},{"index":13,"title":"PHYSICAL WIDEOUT?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/nkeal_harry1.jpg","caption":"

While running a slant, N’Keal Harry got jostled and walked through by corner Bradley Roby for a pick which set the Texans up deep in Patriots territory. It was not an ideal demonstration of physicality by the 225-pound Harry.

PERRY: N'Keal Harry MIA after lone target gets picked

"},{"index":15,"title":"HOUDINI ACT","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/deshaun_watson_texans_120119.jpg","caption":"

Deshaun Watson wriggled out of a certain John Simon sack in the second quarter, escaping a long loss and setting himself up for a very well thrown dart to tight end Jordan Akins, who ran out of a Patrick Chung tackle for a decent gain.

"},{"index":17,"title":"SLIPPED OUT","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/darren_fells_120119.jpg","caption":"

Coming out of a diamond formation with Deshaun Watson in shotgun, tight end Darren Fells leaked out of the backfield unmolested for a touchdown. It appeared Dont'a Hightower probably should have been with him.

"},{"index":19,"title":"BULLET DODGED","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/bradley_roby_120119.jpg","caption":"

Bradley Roby, who came up with the first half interception of Brady when he undercut N’Keal Harry, hooked the arm of Phillip Dorsett before undercutting Dorsett’s route to come up with a pick. The officials caught it and the pick became a 5-yard holding penalty.

"},{"index":21,"title":"NEEDED IT","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/mohamed_sanu.jpg","caption":"

On fourth-and-inches, after a 32-yard run earlier in the drive got the Patriots some momentum, Brady looked to Mohamed Sanu on a crosser and Sanu couldn’t secure the pass despite having both hands on it for a brief moment.

"},{"index":23,"title":"JONESING","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/kenny_stills_jonathan_jones_120119.jpg","caption":"

Jonathan Jones was nearly beaten for a touchdown to Will Fuller in the back of the end zone but the score was overturned on replay. On the next play, Jones was beaten on a lasered throw by Deshaun Watson to Kenny Stills. The second one stood.

"},{"index":25,"title":"PICKED OFF","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/julian_edelman.jpg","caption":"

A 37-yard completion from Brady to Jakobi Meyers was wiped out by a pick called on Julian Edelman who cleared out Vernon Hargreaves downfield.

"},{"index":27,"title":"SHOULD COVER HIM","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/julian_edelman_120119.jpg","caption":"

A first-and-30 play brought on by a rash of penalties was converted as somehow the Texans lost track of Julian Edelman on a 44-yard gain

"},{"index":29,"title":"WHAT’S THE POINT?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/kai_forbath_120119.jpg","caption":"

After James White scored to make it 21-9, New England lined up to go for two but appeared to have no interest in snapping the ball or taking a timeout. The delay of game penalty moved the ball back 5 yards and new kicker Kai Forbath missed the kick.

"},{"index":31,"title":"CHICANERY","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2019/12/02/deshaun_watson_td_run_120119.jpg","caption":"

A snap to Duke Johnson was followed by a pitch to a sweeping DeAndre Hopkins who then pitched it to Deshaun Watson for a touchdown. The pitch was switched to a forward pass. And you’re up to date.

"}]}

WATCH: Texans LBs show up to game in SWAT gear

PERRY: N'Keal Harry MIA after lone target gets picked

Tom E. Curran's Best & Worst from Patriots' 28-22 loss to Texans