Miami’s loss Monday night secures a sixth straight AFC East title for the Pats, who want so much more.
Advertisement
New England came right back on their next possession, moving 57 yards in 11 plays and taking 5:25 off the clock when Gostkowski hit from 43 yards out, pushing the lead to 10-3 with 12:13 left in the first half.
Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi once coined the phrase “hat-and-t-shirt” game when the team was playing for some type of championship – division, conference, Super Bowl.
The Texans cut the lead to 7-3 on a 37-yard field goal by Nick Novak in the first quarter. “We’ll put it in our pocket, but it’s on to the (Tennessee) Titans”. 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.
■ The Patriots’ other game plan was to utilize their heavy running backs, and to stick with the run. Both teams are 6-7 on the season, and Houston travels to Indy this Sunday, so there will be a clear leader in the Division with just 2 games remaining after the dust clears from the contest.
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. He was inactive against Philadelphia.
GRONKOWSKI’S RETURN: Gronkowski had four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in his return after missing last week’s game with a knee injury.
Ryan, meanwhile, continued his surprisingly excellent season by shutting down star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, holding him to three catches for 52 yards (40 of which came on one play in garbage time).
No matter what was going on behind closed doors, Brady had to be frustrated on the field that he didn’t have his security blanket in the loss to Eagles, leaving him throwing to Drops McGees Brandon LaFell and Scott Chandler. His blocking ability was a boost in New England establishing the run game as well, with the visitors gaining 116 yards on the ground despite losing LeGarrette Blount to a hip injury in the first half. He will be placed on the injured reserve, according to an ESPN report. Bolden carried the ball 16 times in the game for 51 yards. He figures to be the back Belichick will rely on most.
“It was good complementary football on our part, something that has been lacking the last four weeks”, Bill Belichick said.
Gronkowski’s return may get most of the headlines following the win, but the biggest factor in New England’s victory was the play of the defense.
Ball, 25, was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Broncos. 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. He was cut before this season. “The organization, myself just rehabbing really hard and everything checked out, everything felt good, so I was good to go”. “I keep in touch with a lot of the players I played with in college, so it’s good to have him here”.
Advertisement
NOTES: New England signed free-agent RB Montee Ball to the practice squad.
