Been a while since I've done a game write up, but this one deserves it.
Patriots 27 - 6 Texans
I was apprehensive about this game before it started. The Patriots had lost two games in a row, both in annoyingly close circumstances, both due to either defensive or special teams errors, both from 14 point leads. Yes, JJ Watt had a broken hand, but he's JJ Watt...there's a reason he's the #1 defensive player in the league. Our O-line is also a joke.
The O-line held though, for the most part, by putting two people on Watt each play, meaning Brady got sacked far less (and never by Watt). The return of Gronkowski meant Brady had some actual receivers to target again, and throwing LaFell short/medium rather than deep passes improved his completion percentage. Our running game also improved (ironically by losing Blount due to injury, and replacing him with Brandon Bolden, who gained us a few first downs when we really needed them.
Our defense was really on point, forcing a number of turnovers (one fumble and two failed 4th down conversions). In the end, we held them to two field goals, despite them getting into the red zone on a number of occasions.
This was a great win for the Patriots, one that we needed after the last two weeks. Even the injuries we suffered during the game don't seem too bad, with most of them being sprains that shouldn't have an effect on our post season.
Patriots 27 - 6 Texans
I was apprehensive about this game before it started. The Patriots had lost two games in a row, both in annoyingly close circumstances, both due to either defensive or special teams errors, both from 14 point leads. Yes, JJ Watt had a broken hand, but he's JJ Watt...there's a reason he's the #1 defensive player in the league. Our O-line is also a joke.
The O-line held though, for the most part, by putting two people on Watt each play, meaning Brady got sacked far less (and never by Watt). The return of Gronkowski meant Brady had some actual receivers to target again, and throwing LaFell short/medium rather than deep passes improved his completion percentage. Our running game also improved (ironically by losing Blount due to injury, and replacing him with Brandon Bolden, who gained us a few first downs when we really needed them.
Our defense was really on point, forcing a number of turnovers (one fumble and two failed 4th down conversions). In the end, we held them to two field goals, despite them getting into the red zone on a number of occasions.
This was a great win for the Patriots, one that we needed after the last two weeks. Even the injuries we suffered during the game don't seem too bad, with most of them being sprains that shouldn't have an effect on our post season.
