Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) speak after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday Night Football: Patriots Defeat Texans 27-6 and Clinch Playoff Spot

The New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 27-6 in Houston on Sunday Night Football. The Patriots clinch a playoff spot with the rout of the Texans and are the first team in the AFC to secure its spot in the postseason.

Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and the New England Patriots with that victory snapped a two-game losing skid. New England has now gone 214 straight games without losing three games in a row, which is the 2nd-longest streak in NFL history. The Patriots have won its last seven games after back to back losses by an average of 20.7 points during that streak.

In the first quarter, quarterback Tom Brady hit wide receiver Keshawn Martin for a tw0-yard touchdown pass and the Patriots led 7-0.

Texans responded toward the end of the first quarter, when New England’s defensive forced Houston to settle for a field goal, which Texans kicker Nick Novak nailed a 37-yard field goal at 2:38 to make the score 7-3 New England.

Toward the beginning of the second quarter, both teams traded field goals as Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a 43-yard field goal at 12:13, while Novak converted a 45-yard field goal. New England now led 10-6.

The Patriots extended its lead when Brady connected with tight end Rob Gronkowski for a one yard touchdown pass, which made the score 17-6 New England at halftime.

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski finished the game with four receptions for 87 yards and the one touchdown catch. Gronkowski now recorded his second straight season with at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns and looks to add to the total this season with three games in the regular season remaining and the playoffs looming around the corner.

Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass past Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass past Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

A unique stat that only Gronkowski has is now he has three seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns. Gronkowski has more than any other tightend in NFL history with only Seattle tight end Jimmy Graham right behind him with at least two such seasons.

Another interesting stat about Gronkowski, is that he joins a list of two other players have had 10 touchdown receptions in five of their first six seasons in the NFL, those names are Randy Moss, Bob Hayes and now Rob Gronkowski. He joined the list last night on Sunday after hauling in his 10th touchdown reception of the season from Tom Brady before the half against Houston.

The only scoring in the third quarter, New England adding to its lead with another field goal from Gostkowski, which was 49-yard field goal at 11:48 and the Patriots led 20-6.
In the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Patriots scored a two-yard touchdown run from running back James White to illustrate that this game was one sided from the start as New England led 27-6 and won the game as the final score was 27-6.

Since the losses of Denver and Cincinnati, New England controls its own destiny in a quest to get the #1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs and home field advantage with a bye.

Al Michaels and Former Florida wide receiver Cris Collinsworth on the Gronkowski touchdown in the second quarter. 

About Robert Van Deering

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Gators Softball Blows Six-Run Lead, Drops First Game Against Bulldogs

The No. 10 Florida Gators softball team lost to the No. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs, …