Patriots Trip Up Texans

The Patriots did not move the ball as well within the 2nd half, still the defense harassed Brian Hoyer in to multiple errors.

Two of those sacks were recorded by Jabaal Sheard, who forced a pair of fumbles as well, and coach Bill Belichick was full of praise for his defence.

New England completed with six sacks after additionally taking down backup T.J. Yates after Hoyer was injured.

“The defense the last four or five weeks has been incredible”, Brady said.

And the Patriots, with Gronkowski again, look good to go as they sit atop the AFC. That obviously turned out to not be as severe as initially feared, and news that Gronkowski would suit up for this game surprised most everybody in the country. In eight days, the New England Patriots went from thinking about a 16-0 season to the owners of a two-game losing streak. Not only was the team limited to just 3.6 yards per play but the group was unable to sustain any drives throughout the day, averaging just two minutes and four seconds per possession-not including a kneel down at the end of the first half. Watt has an NFL-best 13.5 sacks for the Texans, who rank third in the league by allowing an average of 218.3 yards passing per game.

“I was expecting whatever the coaches call”, Gronkowski told NBC’s Michele Tafoya after the game. Though the defense bailed him out for the miscue, it was that exact mistake that cost the Patriots the Denver game and cost Chris Harper his job. He was double-teamed on nearly every play, and New England wasn’t shy about chipping him with a third man. Tonight, O’Brien will face his mentor for the first time when the Texans host the Patriots.

Gronkowski was a major part of Brady’s success, as when targeting Gronkowski, Brady was 4-for-4 for 87 yards and a touchdown.

“An all time great player”. Much like the Patriots’ were able to take out the Texans’ best offensive player in Hopkins, the team produced an effective game plan to take out Houston’s best defensive player too. Next week Houston visits Indianapolis (6-7) with first place in the AFC South up for grabs. Watt played with a club cast on his broken left hand and contributed modest numbers given his usual production: three tackles, one for a loss, and no sacks. Hoyer went just 11-for-22 for 155 yards in the loss. Soon enough, Edelman will return to the lineup, the equivalent of adding a first-round pick before the tournament (even though, you know, Edelman was once drafted in the seventh round). We fought hard. I thought the defense played incredible.

Gostkowski scored the only points of the third quarter with his second successful field goal and, with Houston stagnant on offence, James White made sure of victory with a two-yard rushing score in the closing stages. Right tackle Marcus Cannon and right guard Tre’ Jackson saw their fair share Watt, but others, including running back Brandon Bolden, lent a hand in keep Watt away from Brady.