Team Grades: Patriots Look Like Their Old Selves In Win Over Texans
By Gregory Hunt
The New England Patriots avoided their first three-game losing streak since 2002 when it defeated the Houston Texans 27-6 Sunday night at NRG Stadium. The Patriots also clinched a playoff spot, putting them in the postseason for the 13th time in 15 years. Thanks to losses this weekend by the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos, the 11-2 Patriots are back in the #1 position for the AFC playoffs.
Offense: B
After missing last week's game with a bruised knee, tight end Rob Gronkowski looked like his usual self with a 45-yard reception in the first quarter, and he made an excellent leap for a touchdown pass in the second quarter. Running back LeGarrette Blount looked impressive in the running game until going down with an injury in the second quarter, but Brandon Bolden picked up the slack from that point on, and James White contributed a rushing touchdown. 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.
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. In the second quarter, wide receiver Brandon LaFell dropped yet another pass that could have resulted in a first down, and New England settled for a field goal on that drive.
Defense: A-
Defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard had his best-ever game as a Patriot, making a sack in the third quarter that took Houston well out of field goal range, then making a strip sack in the fourth quarter that set up a 7-yard touchdown drive. Overall, the New England defense had six sacks. Linebacker Jamie Collins also had a solid game, making five tackles and utilizing his speed well whenever he dropped into pass coverage.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler gave up a 49-yard reception to Nate Washington on a 3rd-and-18, but that was the only time all night that Butler was beaten on a play. Cornerback Logan Ryan gave up a 40-yard pass to DeAndre Hopkins in the fourth quarter, but Hopkins was otherwise not a factor in the game. Even new cornerback acquisition Leonard Johnson played well, defending one pass and not giving much space to Houston's receivers. The Texans completed only 12 passes in the game.
Special Teams: C
For the third game in a row, the Patriots committed a major blunder on special teams when Martin muffed a punt in the third quarter. Fortunately for New England, Houston failed to convert that takeaway into points. Head coach Bill Belichick presumably didn't want regular punt returner Danny Amendola to do the job because of a nagging knee injury, but Amendola was forced back into that role following Martin's muff.
At least the kicking game was solid. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski made five touchbacks on six kickoffs and didn't miss a place kick. Punter Ryan Allen's punt in the second quarter was beautifully downed at the 3-yard line, and he put Houston inside its 20-yard line three times.
Coaching: A
Sunday night's game was one of the better examples of how creative offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can be when it comes to game planning from week to week. New England effectively negated the Houston pass rush with a horizontal game consisting of quick passes to the sidelines. The Patriots also established a strong running game, so as a result the Texans didn't get much pressure on Brady for most of the game.
Next week, the Patriots will play their final home game of the regular season when they meet the Tennessee Titans next Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The Titans are 3-10 and were beaten 30-8 last Sunday by the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Gregory Hunt is a Boston native and a life-long fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics. He's also particularly fond of lacrosse, IndyCar racing and women's college basketball. He currently works for Examiner.com where he serves as the Senior Manager of Content and Media Access. He also writes for Examiner.com as the New England Patriots Examiner. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
