New England Patriots Snap Losing Streak

For example, when the Texans opened the game in a three-receiver grouping with tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and running back Chris Polk, the Patriots countered in a different-from-the-norm base 4-3 defense with speedy linebacker Jon Bostic playing over the burlier Jonathan Freeny, and a secondary that had three cornerbacks and just one safety. Watt received a personal foul for roughing Tom Brady on the first New England touchdown of the night, but was otherwise a non-factor while lining up all over the field in hopes of finding a way to wreak havoc. Gronkowski played just 61% of the snaps as the coaching staff monitored his knee injury.

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.

Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer has suffered his second concussion in less than a month and is doubtful for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. I mean, he worked really hard this week and so did his teammates, you know, Logan [Ryan], Devin [McCourty], Malcom [Butler], Duron [Harmon]. Shame on them if they don’t finish the job.

Bill Belichick said in a conference call on Monday afternoon that it would be premature to give any kind of status update on any of the Patriots who were injured in Sunday’s game with the Texans.

“There was urgency and there wasn’t urgency”, Gronkowski said after his four-catch, 87-yard performance on Sunday.

With the injuries to the offensive line and lack of targets, New England’s offensive line has had struggles protecting Brady this year, as they’ve surrendered 29 sacks on the season, the 12th-most in the league.

Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Akiem Hicks (72) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston.

New England hasn’t always done a good job on defense in the red zone this season, allowing opponents to score a touchdown 57.6 percent of the time in the red zone.

The Patriots sacked Hoyer five times before knocking him out of the game midway through the fourth quarter. “People play with pain all the time”.

Tom Brady, who threw 226 yards and two touchdowns, was delighted to have his tight end back.at having his tight end back. But the Texans couldn’t move the ball and turned it over after a failed fourth-down attempt.

If he can’t go, the Texans will look to Yates, who started the last time Hoyer was out and led them to a win. He had a big touchdown catch. For Martin, it was his second touchdown this season and third in his career…. LeGarrett Blount was workmanlike in the first half, as the Patriots balanced out the offense with 15 carries compared to 20 passes. Sheard finished with five tackles along with two sacks and three quarterback hits and really stepped up in a big way. Still, Gronkowski’s presence back on the field changed the complexion of the game on Sunday and the team’s outlook moving forward. It all worked out well as New England stagnated Houston’s most unsafe weapons – DeAndre Hopkins on offense and J.J. Watt (playing with a broken hand) on defense.