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New England Patriots' dire situation on O-line a first under Bill Belichick

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. O-line in flux: Just when you think you've seen it all in Bill Belichick's 22 years as Patriots coach, Sunday brings another first. Never before has the team entered a game with four starting offensive linemen on the 53-man roster but unavailable for action.

So much for "next man up." This is "next men up" territory.

It's a huge storyline that potentially threatens the Patriots' hopes to get back on the winning track -- on the road against the Houston Texans (1 p.