The New England Patriots fell to 10-2 on the season after Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Houston Texans. Surrendering just 258 yards per game — the second-best mark in the NFL — there's no doubt that the Patriots defense has been elite.

However, while the defense has stepped up in 2018, the New England offense, led by 42-year-old Tom Brady has struggled at times with the team scoring only 17.3 points per game in the last three games.

Much of those struggles have come from the team's lack of receiving options. After losing tight end Rob Gronkowski in the offense, waiving both Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown and various injuries to players like Philip Dorsett and Mohamed Sanu, the Patriots are forced to rely on Julian Edelman and a thin, inexperienced group behind him.

But despite the loss where Edelman and pass-catching back James White combined for 14 of the Patriots 24 catches, Brady is confident in his receiving group going forward.

“There’s some good effort out there,” Brady said, via WEEI Sports Radio Network. “Guys are doing the best they can do in my belief. We’re working hard and trying to do the right thing, and sometimes it’s been good. Other times, we obviously still have work we still have to do. That is just part of playing football. Sometimes people have it figured out early and some people, we’re trying to figure it out as we go. That’s just part of it. That is just part of what we’re dealing with.”

Next up, New England will return home and face off against the Chiefs in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship.