Patriots Robbed On Bogus Call In First Quarter Vs. Texans

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots had an uphill battle facing the Houston Texans on Sunday.

It didn’t help matters that the referees got in New England’s way on the first drive of the game.

The Patriots looked like they got a key stop on third down in the red zone when C.J. Stroud missed Tank Dell in the corner of the end zone. But before the Patriots defensive unit could walk off the field, a piece of yellow laundry littered the field.

The officials called a very questionable pass interference call on safety Marte Mapu, who was lined up against Dalton Schultz on the play. Mape did little to interfere with Schultz and the Texans tight end initiated the contact, but the refs still deemed it worthy of a flag.

Those in attendance at Gillette Stadium were none too pleased with the call and two plays later, Stroud hit Dell from 2 yards out for the opening score.

The Patriots were flagged for another defensive pass interference on third down in New England territory on Houston’s second drive of the game. This time cornerback Marcus Jones was a culprit and the Texans seized advantage of new life yet again to score another touchdown.