The double digit underdog Houston Texans closed out the first half of Sunday’s game in New England with the momentum on their side, and a feeling they could upset the #2 seeded Patriots. Unfortunately for them however, that momentum disappeared once Tom Brady got his hands on the ball to start the second half. The thirteenth year veteran Brady led the fast attacking Pats offense down the field, and the home team never looked back the rest of the way en route to a 41-28 victory in front of the home fans in Foxboro.
The Texans may look at the way back to the first series of the game as a point of regret, as they squandered a 94 yard kickoff return by Danielle Manning by only salvaging three points. The visiting Texans tried to make a desperate run in the fourth quarter, but the high powered New England offense was still too much for Houston to handle, as they racked up 457 total yards. Brady was responsible for 344 of those yards, and with the win becomes the NFL’s all time leader in postseason victories with 17, passing the great Joe Montana. Coach Bill Belichick may have said it best after the game, when he simply stated “There is no other quarterback I’d ever rather have than Tom Brady.”
The win for the Patriots sets up an AFC Championship Game rematch from last year’s great game, as the Patriots will host the #4 seed Baltimore Ravens, who were a missed field goal shy of beating the Pats in Foxboro last January. The two teams also played an epic contest back in September of this season, with the Ravens winning 31-30 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. “I think the two best teams are in the final,” Brady said. “Baltimore certainly deserves to be here and so do we.” The Patriots may however be without superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski, who, according to sources, broke his arm for the second time this season early in the game. Running back Danny Woodhead also did not return from an early injury.
Running back Shane Vereen filled in nicely for Woodhead however, as the second year man from Cal totaled for 124 yards and three scores. Woodhead’s status for next week will be determined in the following days.
