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.
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The Patriots coach was asked about the situation that resulted when running back James White appeared to make a leaping catch neat the sideline in the third quarter. Jabaal Sheard had strip sacks on Hoyer twice after halftime. The Texans D was solid if not spectacular; Jadeveon Clowney finally started playing like a #1 draft pi with two sacks of Brady.
New England finished with six sacks after also taking down backup T.J. Yates after Hoyer was injured. While that hasn’t phased Tom Brady in the past or any this season, it still benefits a Texans’ defense that has been at the top of its game over the last few weeks.
Ultimately, the Pats can just run the table, leave no doubts about home field, and build the desired momentum Belichick-coached teams are noted for in the month of December as they head into the postseason. He figures to be the back Belichick will rely on most. J.J. Watt and the rest of the defensive front seven for the Texans have to be licking their chops for that match-up. He missed a game earlier this season after getting a concussion on November 16 against the Bengals.
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. They were able to dictate the flow of the game, and seemed ready for every little wrinkle Bill O’Brien tried to put together to confuse them.
Houston gave up 30 points and 187 total rushing yards to Buffalo last weekend, but before that the defense had allowed a mere 35 total points over their last four games, all wins. As presently constituted, with tight end Rob Gronkowski back and participating in the offense after coming back from his knee injury, there should be no problem sweeping the final three games against the Titans, Jets and Dolphins. Hoyer was 11 of 22 for 155 yards. “Now we need to work on controlling next Sunday”.
WATT’S HAND: Watt played despite breaking his left hand in practice on Wednesday. A touchdown pass was negated by an illegal formation penalty when wide receiver Keshawn Martin covered up eligible tackle Cameron Fleming, but two plays later Martin made a great move in the end zone to get free for a touchdown reception.
Sunday’s game is an important one for the Texans, who are tied with the Colts for first place in the AFC South. He wore a cast that enclosed his fingers in a club-like ball.
“If 100 people saw that play, it might be 55-45, I don’t know”.
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“… There is some that we can all look at and say, ‘Yeah, it’s this, ‘ or ‘Yeah, it’s that, ‘ but those ones that are just kind of a really close call and a toss-up, it’s one thing when it’s very close, it’s another thing when you don’t have a really good angle to see it and then therefore you can’t make a good decision”.
