Patriots beat Texans, snap losing streak
New England Patriots defensive end Akiem Hicks (72) celebrates after he sacked Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. It was, after all, only two weeks ago that the image of the tight end writhing in pain on the snow-flecked field in Denver led everybody to instantaneously assume he had suffered a debilitating knee injury, one that would certainly be the final blow to the Patriots’ chances of winning a fifth Lombardi Trophy this season. They arrived in Houston bruised and battered and unusually vulnerable, staring at the possibility of an exceedingly rare three-game losing streak and the daunting possibility that they might be no better than the third seed when the playoffs begin. “Had a big touchdown catch”. The Patriots recovered the second one early in the fourth, and James White made it 27-6 with a 2-yard run three plays later. New England hasn’t lost three straight games since 2002.
Belichick says he wants to get the right call, whatever it is, and that “If we need to raise money, we should raise money”.
His return in Houston included a 45-yard catch on the first play of New England’s second possession of the night, on the way to the game’s opening score. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien and starting quarterback Brian Hoyer could not get anything going offensively in the second half against their former employers, turning what was a tight contest into a blowout by the closing stages of the fourth quarter. He completed 22 of his 30 pass attempts for 226 yards while throwing a pair of touchdown passes. “So it’s acceptable when they are on the field … they just did a incredible job”.
Sleep easy, New England fans: The Patriots – a week after doom ruled the airwaves and comment sections – are looking really, really good as far as playoff seeding goes.
If he can’t go, the Texans will look to T.J. He was sacked five times and left with a concussion after fumbling on a vicious toss to the turf by defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.
“An all time great player”.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler gave up a 49-yard reception to Nate Washington on a 3rd-and-18, but that was the only time all night that Butler was beaten on a play.
Now, following Sunday night’s efficient 27-6 win over the Texans (6-7) in Houston, the Patriots (11-2) are back in the driver’s seat toward the No. 1 seed. Brady attempted a season-high 56 pass attempts and tossed two interceptions, one that was returned by the Eagles for a score.
New England got a 43-yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 10-3.
Quarterback Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and his Carolina Panthers pummeled the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 Sunday to earn an National Football League playoff first-round bye. Last year’s top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney had two sacks for the first multiple sack game in his career with Houston…. LeGarrett Blount was workmanlike in the first half, as the Patriots balanced out the offense with 15 carries compared to 20 passes.