Heading into Sunday’s 2016 playoffs rematch with the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots were seeking to jump above .500 for the first time in 2017.
Coming into the game, head coach Bill Belichick boasted a 8-0 record at home against rookie quarterbacks in his coaching career as 22 year old Deshaun Watson got the start under center for the Texans.
JJ Watt playing catch with Pats fans. pic.twitter.com/jmdWgBJuvk
— DocFlynn (@DocFlynnNFL) September 24, 2017
Let's go @Patriots! pic.twitter.com/0KX2BmL5uf
— Sebastian Vollmer (@SebVollmer) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/911990038266867712
Here's a better shot of the Patriots' kneeling for the anthem, from the Globe's Jim Davis pic.twitter.com/CsoNChlbYP
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 24, 2017
#Patriots for National Anthem today #WBZ pic.twitter.com/7ZkGn0Ns5o
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) September 24, 2017
In the first quarter, the Patriots offense clicked early as Brady got into rhythm with Brandin Cooks, it was a sign of things to come.
HOW did he catch that??@brandincooks making it look easy. #GoPats https://t.co/x0cMVUBAaN
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2017
Holy Brandin Cooks pic.twitter.com/xhGaZ6ok9Z
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 24, 2017
The first quarter saw the Patriots and Texans score a touchdown each, with tight end Rob Gronkowski opening the scoring and a Stephen Gostkowski field goal to take a 10-7 lead after one.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912003339738419200
In the second quarter, Brady found Chris Hogan aka “7-Eleven” in the corner of the end zone to regain the lead at 14-10 following a Texans field goal that tied the game early in the quarter.
He’s always open.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912016079521644544
Midway through the second quarter, after another field goal to cut the deficit to 14-13, the Texans vaunted defensive duo of Jadeveon Clowney and JJ Watt attacked the Patriots offensive line, forcing a Brady fumble that was recovered and returned for a 22 yard touchdown by Clowney. Texans 20 Patriots 14.
Clowney with the pick 6 #BigGuy touchdown with the Gronk spike https://t.co/tTHBuDfkfS
— WeAreBigGuys (@WeAreBigGuys) September 24, 2017
Needing a response, Brady found Hogan again, this time on a 47 yard strike for the touchdown to regain the lead at 21-20 going into halftime.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912021562491990016
Tom Brady First Half Stats:
Total:10/17 (59%) 162yds 3TDsBy Down:
1st: 4/9 (44%) 79yds 2TDs
2nd: 1/3 (33%) 11yds
3rd: 5/5 (100%) 72yds 1TD— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) September 24, 2017
At halftime, the Patriots held a special ceremony honoring this seasons team Hall of Fame inductee, former cornerback Raymond Clayborn
Raymond Clayborn inducted into #Patriots HOF in July, lost everything he owned during Hurricane Harvey and received new jacket at halftime pic.twitter.com/jfZApCoTlW
— Mike Riley (@SargeVOX) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912471351000104960
Getting the ball to start the second half, the Patriots wasted no time extending their lead with Cooks again finding the end zone, this time on a 42 yard pass from Brady. 28-20 Patriots.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/912029103716319232
PHOTO: Patriots WR Brandin Cooks with a terrific first half catch against the Texans on Sunday. (Terrific Photo by @gmcphoto) pic.twitter.com/C0LN7wcQ6l
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) September 24, 2017
The Texans refused to back down, as Deshaun Watson played like a seasoned veteran, a 10 play 70 yard drive culminated in a 12 yard pass to Ryan Griffin to get the score back within one at 28-27 to end the third quarter.
Gronk continued to have a very productive game following his injury scare a week ago, eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown on Sunday including this connection from Tom Brady late in the third.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912385112939028480
In the fourth quarter, the Texans clawed back to take the lead and extend it to five following back to back field goals by rookie kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn. With under three minutes to go in the game, the Patriots needed to put together another game winning drive down 33-28.
Patriots team cameras caught sound bites of Brady’s leadership on the sideline.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912712636072050688
The Patriots converted two third and long conversions, including this clutch grab by Danny Amendola on a third and 18.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912313920982982656
https://gfycat.com/TalkativeDefinitiveGrosbeak
( .gif courtesy reddit user itsNOSAJ)
Down to 33 seconds remaining in the game, Brady found Cooks for a 25 yard go ahead score adding yet another come from behind victory to Brady’s incredible resume.
Patriots 36 Texans 33 following a successful two point attempt.
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912050350932103168
https://gfycat.com/BigheartedMadeupKodiakbear
(.gif courtesy reddit user dmahr)
That was Brady's 5th TD of the day, his 6th career game with 5+ TDs, ties Dan Marino for 3rd most all time.
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/912093610153250816
Wow Tom the great Brady I mean Tom the Greatest Brady strikes again
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) September 24, 2017
A dejected JJ Watt. Brady gets him again pic.twitter.com/MFnlYtMbXV
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 24, 2017
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 24, 2017
This is the 8th regular season game in which Brady threw a game-winning TD in the final minute to turn a #Patriots deficit into a win.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
Tom. Brady. pic.twitter.com/fVhqS9bpGy
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZb-M7ahbm8/?taken-by=tombrady
Wow what a game! Super Solid team win vs a really good team.That was some great football to watch fellows!
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) September 24, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZenb8BhB2z/?hl=en&taken-by=bumpnrungilmore
https://twitter.com/LaAdrianWaddle/status/912084157307768833
— Shea McClellin (@mcckshea) September 24, 2017
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