(Getty)
Final Score
Texans — 3-10-0-3–16
Patriots — 14-3-7-10–34
The Patriots won, and they covered.
Tom Brady shook off two interceptions, and Dion Lewis scored touchdowns three different ways to lead New England to a 34-16 victory. The Patriots are on to the AFC Championship, their sixth straight appearance in the penultimate game.
The Texans had their chances, and turnovers became their downfall. When they got them, like the two early picks that put them in Patriots territory, they could only turn them into field goals. When the Texans needed plays from Brock Osweiler, they got interceptions. He finished with three,
The star of the evening was Patriots rusher Dion Lewis. He started the scoring early, when he caught a swing pass from Brady and took it 13 yards for a TD. After the Texans responded with a field goal, Lewis took the kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. He added a one-yard rushing TD in the fourth quarter to complete the cycle.
The Patriots will host the AFC Championship next Sunday.
Game Highlights
Osweiler’s Third Pick Ends Houston’s Season
That’s all folks.
Osweiler overthrows another receiver, this time finding Duron Harmon for his third interception of the night. The Patriots hold on, and are advancing to another AFC Championship.
Osweiler Gives One Back & Patriots Capitalize
The Texans had their chance.
Down only eight, the Texans defense gave their offense a chance to tie the game. It changed one play later, as Brock Osweiler’s high pass for Hopkins was taken away by Logan Ryan. Dion Lewis punched it in two plays later, and once again the game is out of reach.
After Texans Drop TD, Brady Throws Another Pick
Down 24-13 in the third quarter, Brock Osweiler took his shot. He sent a deep ball to Will Fuller in the endzone, but the ball slipped through the rookie’s arms. But once again the Texans QB was helped out by his defense, as a McKinney interception set up Brady’s second pick of the night.
Brady & Edelman Drive Patriots Back Into Endzone
12 finds 11 four times on a nine-play drive, and the first score of the second half is a Patriots TD. Brady hit James White on a deep route out of the backfield, leading White perfectly for a TD in the back corner of the endzone.
Patriots Commit Back-to-Back Turnovers
Tom Brady throws an interception on the Patriots first play of the second quarter, and the Texans turn it into three points. Lewis, fresh off his return TD, coughs it up deep in his own territory. The Texans get in the endzone two plays later, and somehow have cut the lead to one in a matter of minutes.
Dion Lewis Returns Kickoff For Six
Dion Lewis, who didn’t score a touchdown in the regular season, has two in the first quarter. After the Texans put together a nice drive a kick a field goal, Lewis took the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to the house.
Patriots Drive For First Score
Aided by a long pass interference penalty, the Patriots go 65 yards to get in the endzone first. After the 30-yard flag on Bouye, Brady completed two passes, the second of which saw Dion Lewis cruise to paydirt from 13 yards out.
Texans Hold Patriots on First Drive
The Patriots start with strong field position after a Texans three-and-out, but Houston is able to hold. After a short pass to Edelman, the Patriots are stuffed on two straight runs and punt.
Game Stats
Stats will be updated throughout the game
Houston Texans
Passing: Osweiler 23/40, 144 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Miller: 19 carries, 73 yards
Receiving: Hopkins: 6 catches, 65 yards
New England Patriots
Passing: Brady: 18/38, 287 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Lewis: 13 carries, 41 yards, TD
Receiving: Edelman: 8 catches, 137 yards
Preview
The Houston Texans are in the Divisional Round for only the third time in franchise history, and the odds are against them Saturday night against New England. The Patriots have won five straight playoff games at home dating back to 2013, and they’ve only lost at home in the playoffs three times in the entire Bill Belichick era.
These teams met early in the season, when the Texans had a prime opportunity to knock off the Patriots. With Tom Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo injured, the Patriots used third-string Jacoby Brissett in his NFL starting debut. The Texans had no answers, and were shut out in Foxborough 27-0. The Texans are 1-7 all-time against New England in franchise history, including a 41-28 playoff loss in 2012.
Brock Osweiler is now 1-0 as a playoff starter, but he’ll have a much tougher time this week against the league’s best scoring defense. Osweiler was conservative and ineffective in the first meeting, finishing 24-41 for 196 yards, one interception and two sacks. The game belonged to LeGarrette Blount, who rushed for 105 yards and two scores on 24 carries.
0 Comments