Patriots pummel Texans, take AFC top spot

All in all, Gronkowski’s positive play after injury was the most encouraging development of the evening and a tremendous boost to the Pats’ Super Bowl chances.

“These guys did a good job, they really did”, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of his defense.

New England coach Bill Belichick downplayed the return of Rob Gronkowski on Sunday night since he’d only been out for one game.

The victory, along with defeats for the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, saw the 11-2 Patriots move back to the top spot in the American Football Conference.

Belichick won the Gronk Game this time.

“An all time great player”. Once able to take the lead, the Patriots approach became very conservative. Brady, sacked three times, completed 22 of 30 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

“He’s a pretty experienced player in the league”, said Belichick. 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. “Give all the credit in the world to the Patriots”. “I knew where he was heading, and he had a linebacker on him. We talk about that every year”, Brady said.

Against the Texans on Sunday, Gronkowski wore a brace on his injured knee, but otherwise looked so natural back on the field that NBC’s Al Michaels somewhat mocked him after he caught the touchdown pass at the end of the first half, pointing out that only two weeks ago in Denver it appeared his career might be in jeopardy.

Other than himself, of course.

No, Brady hasn’t been the same untouchable quarterback since Edelman went down last month against the; he has been holding the ball longer, waiting for lesser receivers to break free and absorbing punishment no man in his late 30s should be asked to absorb.

The running back seemed to have made an incredible catch for 20 yards on a third-and-3, but the referees ruled he was out of bounds after a Texans challenge.

“Yeah, that’s more important than sacks; it’s about the win”, Clowney said. That’s good news considering this defense is playing well right now and McCourty’s impact and experience back in the secondary has certainly been one of the big reasons why they’ve been so strong this season. That score was set up when Brady threw across his body and on the run to Gronkowski for a 45-yard gain earlier in the drive.

Hoyer went for 155 yards on 11 of 22 passing for an 8.8 QBR. “I’ve said it a thousand times – best quarterback of all time”. “We’ll put it in our pocket, but it’s on to the (Tennessee) Titans”. We left Malcolm in a lot of single situations and that was competitive but you know, you’ve got to double Hopkins.

Let’s face it: Patriots fans should start making dinner reservations around Fisherman’s Wharf.