Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Texans

Despite losing two games in a row after being undefeated before for the season, the New England Patriots always manage to bounce back and show the football world they will never go quiet without a fight. They did this in a winning fashion last night during their primetime game with the Houston Texans clinching a playoff berth thus continuing their defense of their Super Bowl win last year.

In the first half, it was all offense for the Patriots as quarterback Tom Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns. The two touchdown passes went to wide receiver Keshawn Martin and tight end Rob Gronkowski, who came back from a knee injury and caught for 87 yards. The second half was the Patriots defense, especially the front seven giving pressure to Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer. Six sacks were recorded for the night including two strip sacks that resulted in one fumble recovery by the Patriots. “Those guys did a good job; they really did,” said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. “We played a lot of different people, as we have been doing in the front, and our linebackers did a good job.”

With last night’s win, the Patriots have moved past both the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals for the top AFC playoff seed with a 11-2 record. They can also clinch the AFC East division next week with either a win against the Tennessee Titans or if the New York Jets tie or lose in their game with the Dallas Cowboys. The Patriots have made playoff appearances 17 times in the 22 seasons owner Robert Kraft has owned the team, including this season being their seventh straight time they have qualified for the playoffs.

Photo: FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 23: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)