The Patriots were on the hook for their first three-game losing streak since 2002, and against a Texans offense that couldn’t get out of its own way, that task was made easier.
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ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (10-2): Star tight end Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a knee injury in an overtime loss at Denver on November 29, practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since he was hurt but his status is unclear for the Texans. “Knowing that we’ve got to get there and get this win to get to the playoffs”.
J.J. Watt pulls down Patriots running back Brandon Bolden on a lackluster night for the Texans’ defensive end by his standards.
“They out-coached us”, he said. The Texans were trying to secure a spot while on the visitor’s sideline, New England was looking to regain the AFC’s number one seed. “So we hope he’ll be ready to play Sunday”.
Standout defensive end J.J. Watt broke his hand in practice Wednesday but said he will play Sunday. Brady was sacked three times and the offensive line continued to have various struggles.
Gronkowski set up the first touchdown in the first quarter and recorded the second late in the second quarter to provide the Patriots (11-2) with what proved to be an insurmountable 11-point lead at the break.
However, Jabaal Sheard drove the nail in Houston’s coffin with a strip-sack on third down, giving Tom Brady and Co. the ball at the Texans’ 7-yard line. In Sunday’s utter domination of the Texans, Hopkins was held to season lows in catches (3) and targets (6).
I remember in the years following the Patriots’ 2007 run, the defense had been a perennial topic of concern amongst fans and media covering the team.
Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski nails a field goal to start the second quarter.
Keshawn Martin celebrates with teammate Rob Gronkowski after a touchdown catch during the first half.
The Texans (6-7) recovered a fumble and forced two punts by the Patriots in the third quarter, but weren’t able to take advantage of any of those opportunities and entered the fourth quarter trailing 20-6.
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“He has great quickness and he does a good job of ripping across the guys face and next time taking step like he’s coming up across and is quick enough to come behind”. The Texans generally take several deep shots and let Hopkins beat corners in the air, but Brian Hoyer rarely had time to let deep routes develop. Blount looked somewhat stunned after the play, sitting on the turf before getting up and leaving the field and shortly after he headed off to the locker room for x-rays and didn’t return to the game. 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. The Patriots took a 27-6 lead. “It’s something we need to change”.
