With a fifth consecutive defeat, a new era began.

The New England Patriots fell to the Houston Texans by a score of 41-21 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 was in store as head coach Jerod Mayo’s team moved deeper into the month of October.

Maye struggles through a day with many NFL firsts

After five weeks as captain Jacoby Brissett’s backup, Drake Maye made his debut as a starter on Sunday. The 22-year-old Patriots rookie broke the 11-personnel battle against a Texans defense that entered the afternoon holding opposing quarterbacks to a 51.7 percent completion rate. He went 20 of 33 passing for 243 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions from there.

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

But by then, Maye had hit wide receiver Kayshon Boutte down the right sideline against fellow LSU product Derek Stingley Jr. From 40 yards out with 16 seconds to play, it was both’s first career touchdowns. The celebration ended after the break with a stripe from the rim and a fumble by Austin Hooper. Then fellow tight end Hunter Henry was released late in the flat for his first TD of the campaign. A tapped ball ended up in the hands of Houston defenseman Eric Murray shortly afterwards. Yet signs of life continued to appear. A 35-yard touchdown pass set up the latter.

Without Stevenson, New England’s backfield will be in a pinch

A foot injury sidelined Rhamondre Stevenson for three consecutive practices before he was ruled out on Friday. Lacking a lead running back, the Patriots faced heavy sledding on the ground.

Antonio Gibson started and stayed in to handle 13 carries for 19 yards. The March arrival in the backfield added a trio of catches for 24 yards.

Kick returner JaMycal Hasty pinned 21 yards from scrimmage on four opportunities. He gave up snaps after halftime to Florida A&M product Terrell Jennings, a rookie minicamp tryout who served as a standard height and picked up 13 yards on a handful of handoffs.

Sixth starting O-line combination includes midweek signing

The Patriots started five different combinations in as many games. There would be a sixth on 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, an everyday addition to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, made his first NFL start at center following the fallout of losing captain David Andrews to injured reserve. In the heat, No. 77 was flanked by Mike Onwenu at right guard and August claimed Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle. Four sacks, including a forced fumble by Danielle Hunter, followed for a Texans unit that had collected 17 on the year.

The progression continued. Lowe entered the blue medical tent in the second quarter. He was ruled out with an ankle injury when Zach Thomas, another 53-man deadline claim, replaced him blind. Former starting interior lineman Sidy Sow was also called up to left guard in the final quarter due to an injury.

Career afternoons for second-year sixth-rounders

While Tyquan Thornton and Javon Baker were healthy scratches 90 minutes before kickoff, two second-year starters at wide receiver posted career days.

Slot target DeMario Douglas had a team-high six catches for 92 yards, including a long of 35 that set up 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 go route to the end zone. Both found their way to Foxborough in the sixth round of the 2023 class.

No. 37 overall pick Ja’Lynn Polk started quietly next to them. And veteran Kendrick Bourne, who had a tight count in his first game back from a torn ACL last October, caught the first pass from the breakaway New England rookie QB.

Stroud has one interception and runs through Patriots for three touchdowns

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud completed 20 of 31 passes for 192 yards with three touchdowns and one turnover before sitting out Sunday. In his first two series, two balls hit the turf on his way to a 14-0 lead through the air. There would be no more points before the break for the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Without the league’s receiving leader in Nico Collins, the sudden Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell combined for 13 catches and 134 yards on 16 throws sent their way. Both came from the goal line into the end zone. Cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones occupy the perimeter. Marcus Jones dived into the slot and was tested man-to-man en route to defensive pass interference. But early in the second quarter, the former first-team All-Pro returning player chased down his third career interception to slow the bleeding. And at safety, Kyle Dugger returned from an ankle injury that forced him to miss his first game since 2022.

Marte Mapu started next to the team captain. The Sacramento State hybrid was flagged on an uncatchable third-and-goal, deflected what became a pick and played through a neck problem to split a sack with linebacker Christian Elliss.

Houston’s backfield tandem scores through the air and on the ground, eclipsing 200

A week removed from allowing 193 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins at home, Sunday’s visitors to Gillette Stadium found similar results.

Joe Mixon made his return with 13 carries for 102 yards, including a long of 59 as the break approached. He had stopped at the goal line on Houston’s opening drive. The next time down there on a touchdown catch from 10 yards out he wouldn’t be denied. And in the final frame, the previous Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler broke outside for a touchdown run from 20 yards out before fellow running back Dameon Pierce dove in for a touchdown from 54 yards out.

A 41-21 game was the result as the duo eclipsed 200 yards from scrimmage. The Patriots started with Keion White, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Anfernee Jennings. Next to the ball were Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan. Off-season signing Sione Takitaki, who was flagged for illegal formation on the opening kick-off, checked into the defense after starting the trap as he was physically unable to perform.