Patriots reclaim top spot in AFC

Brady’s quicker release than in past weeks was a major reason why. Even when the Patriots appear to be falling behind with injuries, they manage to at least stand in place while everybody around them falls down.

If the Houston Texans are ever going to capitalize this on this season and make a statement, now is the time.

NOTES: New England signed free-agent RB Montee Ball to the practice squad.

Although Rob Gronkowski has traveled with the Patriots to Houston, he still remains questionable and would likely only play a handful of snaps if active. “The defense the last four or five weeks has-been incredible”, Brady stated. Last year’s top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney had two sacks for the first multiple sack game in his career with Houston…. Gronkowski, his favorite target, finished with four grabs for 87 yards and the TD. All wasn’t roses for Martin though as he muffed a punt in the third quarter, and just like that Martin was not seen on the field again.

New England’s offensive line did a solid job of keeping quarterback Tom Brady from absorbing too many hits, but rookie guard Tre’ Jackson struggled, picking up a pair of holding penalties. But the Texans couldn’t move the ball and turned it over after a failed fourth-down attempt.

“If we need to raise money, we should raise money and get those set so that on those kinds of plays, we have an absolute down-the-line angle of the play and not, I would say, the angles that I saw shown up on the screen, which none of them were down the line”, Belichick said.

After the win put the Patriots back in the driver’s seat in the AFC, Gronkowski avoided answering all questions about what point during the preceding week he realized he might be able to go, and would only talk about the Texans when asked what went through his mind after Denver.

Not only do the Texans have some favorable match-ups on defense, but they actually have some on offense as well.

Keshawn Martin and James White scored touchdowns for New England (11-2), which catapulted back to the top of the AFC standings with the win. Houston, meanwhile, plays an absolutely critical, potentially playoff-determining game against Indianapolis next week before closing with Tennessee and Jacksonville. Not only has Hoyer been able to capitalize on Houston’s opportunities in the red zone, but he’s protected the ball well while there as well, not throwing a single interception in the red zone all season. Marcus Mariota and crew come to town next week, where the Patriots can hopefully continue their winning ways. Fortunately for New England, Houston failed to convert that takeaway into points.

After losing two straight, and dropping down to the No. 3 spot last week behind the Bengals and Broncos, the Pats vaulted right back up into the driver’s seat after beating the Texans while the two teams above them lost Sunday.