A new era began with the fifth defeat in a row.

The New England Patriots fell 41-21 to the Houston Texans on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, where the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft made his first start under center.

Here’s a look back at what went into it as head coach Jerod Mayo’s team pushes deeper into October.

Maye struggles through a day full of NFL firsts

After five weeks as captain Jacoby Brissett’s backup, Drake Maye debuted as the starter on Sunday. The Patriots’ 22-year-old rookie broke through the scrum at “11” personnel against a Texans defense that was holding opposing quarterbacks to a 51.7 percent completion rate to start the afternoon. He completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The first drive ended with a punt after consecutive handoffs and a sideline throwaway. The second drive ended with an interception by safety Calen Bullock after a fallen crosser, but No. 10 in red was there to make the tackle. The next time, a sack by Will Anderson Jr. landed around the right tackle. And the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year scored his second of three takedowns around left tackle before halftime.

But by that point, Maye had hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on his LSU counterpart Derek Stingley Jr. on the right sideline. From 40 yards away and 16 seconds before the end of the game, it was the first touchdown of their careers for both of them. The celebration ended after halftime with a strip off the edge and a fumble by Austin Hooper. Then fellow tight end Hunter Henry was sacked late to score his first touchdown of the campaign. Moments later, a tipped ball landed in the hands of Houston defender Eric Murray. Nevertheless, there were always signs of life. A 35-yard touchdown pass provided the final score.

Without Stevenson, New England’s backfield will be crowded

Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined for three straight practices due to a foot injury before being sidelined on Friday. Lacking their lead running back, the Patriots faced a tough matchup on the ground.

Antonio Gibson started and stayed in, managing 13 carries for 19 yards. The March arrival in the backfield added three catches for 24 yards.

Kick returner JaMycal Hasty rushed for 21 yards from scrimmage on four occasions. He ceded snaps after halftime to Florida A&M product Terrell Jennings, a rookie minicamp tryout who served as the standard receiver and picked up 13 yards on some handoffs.

The sixth starting O-line combination includes the midweek signing

The Patriots started five different combinations in as many games. There would be a sixth until Sunday against the reigning AFC South champions.

The offensive line included Vederian Lowe at left tackle and Michael Jordan at left guard. And Ben Brown, a midweek signing from the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, made his first NFL start at center after losing captain David Andrews to injured reserve. In the fire, No. 77 was flanked by Mike Onwenu at right guard and August waiver-claimed Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle. Four sacks followed, including a forced fumble by Danielle Hunter at the rim, for a Texans unit that had amassed 17 sacks on the year.

The attrition continued. Lowe went into the blue medical tent in the second quarter. He was ruled out with an ankle injury as Zach Thomas, another deadline claim for the 53-man roster, replaced him on the blindside. Former central defender Sidy Sow was also deployed at left-back in the final quarter due to injury.

Career afternoons for sixth graders in their second year

When Tyquan Thornton and Javon Baker were healthy scratches 90 minutes before kickoff, two sophomore starters at wide receiver were posting career days.

Slot target DeMario Douglas was involved in a team-high six catches for 92 yards, including a long of 35 that scored his first NFL touchdown over the right pylon in the final quarter. And along with the Liberty product, the aforementioned Boutte finished with three receptions for 59 yards, led by his 40-yard goal route to the end zone. Both made it to Foxborough in the sixth round of the 2023 class.

Number 37 overall Ja’Lynn Polk started quietly alongside them. And veteran Kendrick Bourne, who had a tight snap count in his first game back from a torn ACL he suffered last October, caught the first pass from New England’s volatile rookie quarterback.

Stroud is intercepted once and runs through the Patriots for three touchdowns

Texas quarterback CJ Stroud completed 20 of 31 passes for 192 yards with three touchdowns and a turnover before taking his spot on Sunday. In his first two series, two balls hit the turf, giving him a 14-0 lead through the air. There would be no more points for the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year until halftime.

Without league leader Nico Collins, the sudden Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, who combined for 13 catches and 134 yards on 16 throws, led the way. Both reached the end zone from the goal line. Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones manned the perimeter. Marcus Jones was substituted into the slot and tested man-to-man on the way to defensive pass interference. But early in the second quarter, the former first-team All-Pro returner managed to throw in his third career interception to stem the bleeding. And at safety Kyle Dugger was coming back from an ankle injury that forced him to miss his first game since 2022.

Marte Mapu started alongside the team captain. The Sacramento State hybrid was stopped by an uncatchable third-and-goal ball, deflected the ball that became a pick and played through a neck issue to split a sack with linebacker Christian Elliss.

Houston’s backfield tandem tops the .200 mark by scoring both in the air and on the ground

A week later, when they allowed 193 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins at home, the visitors to Gillette Stadium came to similar conclusions on Sunday.

Joe Mixon returned with 13 carries for 102 yards, including a long of 59 as halftime approached. He was stopped at the goal line on Houston’s opening drive. Next time down there he wouldn’t be denied a touchdown catch from 10 yards out. And in the final frame, the former Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler broke free from 20 yards out for a touchdown run before fellow running back Dameon Pierce scored a touchdown from 54 yards out.

The result was a 41-21 game, with the duo eclipsing 200 yards from scrimmage. The Patriots started Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Anfernee Jennings on the base front. Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan were off the ball. Offseason signing Sione Takitaki, who was reported for illegal formation in the opening game, moved to defense due to physical inability to perform after the fall began.