New England Pats Grades, Notes and Quotes

“They move him around quite a bit, get him in some off-the-line positions, playing some outside linebacker…” One of the biggest reasons why New England’s secondary has been so effective is largely in part to how disruptive this group up front has been as a whole and his addition has certainly played a big role in that. If the Steelers can beat Denver in Heinz Field on Sunday, the Patriots will be 2 games ahead of the Broncos in the AFC standings and 13 wins would automatically clinch a playoff bye mathematically. And that area was something the Texans were supposed to have an advantage coming into this game against a battered Patriots offensive line.

After the Patriots produced just a 49-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal in the third quarter, New England stretched their lead to three touchdowns early in the fourth following yet another sack of Hoyer.

Brian Hoyer fumbles the ball while being sacked by Jabaal Sheard. New England hasn’t lost three straight games since 2002.

“Couldn’t move the ball on offense at all”, Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s always good to make a play, get a touchdown, but the icing on the cake is the win”. He really seems like he’s been improving as the season has progressed and it’s going to be fun to see what he can do over these last few games and in the postseason. And it did not stop the Patriots from doing what they usually do to inferior opponents – crushing them by scoring at the end of the first half with a clinical drive and then scoring again to start the third quarter. The only time he got to Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady – when he drilled Brady in the back in the first quarter – he was flagged for roughing the passer.

If Hoyer can’t go, Yates thinks he’ll be significantly more ready than he was during the Texans 10 – 6 win over the Bengals. The secondary played great tonight, and gave us time to get there.

After two consecutive losses, the second their worst performance in years, the Patriots are back.

Lately the Texans have been implementing the Wildcat offense and have found a lot of success with it. However, on Sunday night the Patriots defense was just too tough and smart to be deceived. Tom Brady hooked up with Keshawn Martin for a 2-yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead.

With the loss on Sunday night, the Texans drop to 6-7.

Gronkowski, who suffered a mild knee sprain and bone bruise late in the Denver loss, said his knee felt “good… good to go” after the game. “That’s what we need”. Martin spent three-plus season with the Texans but was traded to New England on September 17.

-WR DeAndre Hopkins caught three passes for 52 yards and set a single-season career high in receiving yards with 1,221.

Watt was spotted with a cast on his left hand during Thursday’s practice and confirmed afterward that he broke it during Wednesday’s practice.

The quarterback was fairly consistent throughout – averaging 2.16 seconds from snap-to-throw in the first half and 1.99 seconds in the second half.