FOXBOROUGH, MASS. - Here are five takeaways from the Texans' 27-20 loss to New England on Sunday at Gillette Stadium:

Pass protection still a problem

Despite having four new starters in the offensive line, the Texans still struggled with pass protection. They lost right tackle Seantrel Henderson with a broken ankle that should end his season. Left tackle Julién Davenport moved to right tackle. Rookie Martinas Rankin came off the bench at left tackle. Overall, the linemen did a good job of run blocking, but if the pass protection doesn't improve, Watson is going to be out of sync and get obliterated.

A rusty Deshaun Watson

Considering all the time Deshaun Watson spent rehabilitating his surgically repaired knee and how little he played in preseason, it shouldn't have been too surprising he struggled, finishing with 17-of-34 for 176 yards and a touchdown. His rating was 62.9. Watson was knocked down 12 times, including three sacks. His rating at halftime was 21.6. The more he plays, the better he should get. Assuming the offensive line improves pass protection. It couldn't get much worse.

A special day for Tyler Ervin

When the Texans kept third-year running back Tyler Ervin as the third running back behind Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue, there was a lot of head-scratching among fans and media. Against the Patriots, the coaches showed why they kept him. Special teams commands such a significant role in what coach Bill O'Brien wants to achieve, and that's where Ervin stood out. He returned five kickoffs for 31.2 yards. He returned two punts for a 10-yard average. Ervin impacted field position. He had a 36-yard kickoff return that set up a field goal and a 33-yard return that set up a touchdown.

Trevor Daniel's punting debut

When you're replacing a legend like Shane Lechler, you're going to be under a lot of pressure to produce. Rookie punter Trevor Daniel, undrafted out of Tennessee, was exceptional in the offseason program, camp and preseason, and the Texans kept him over Lechler. Daniel punted six times Sunday, including one that was tipped. His gross and net average was 38.3 yards. He put three inside the 20. The best thing about his performance was that three ended in fair catches, and none of his punts were returned.

Can't stop Gronk

Romeo Crennel's defense had no answer for tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught seven passes for 123 yards (17.6 average) and a touchdown. They knew he would be Tom Brady's favorite target. They tried linebackers, safeties and corners, and he still burned them. Brady targeted Gronkowski eight times, and all but one was completed. At 6-6, 268, he has a decisive size advantage on the Texans' defensive backs and inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (6-3, 235), who couldn't keep Gronkowski from scoring the first touchdown on a 21-yard reception.