|
|
HOU |
NE |
Brady wins another in final seconds, 36-33 over Texans
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Brandin Cooks started his day by being booed. He ended it with one of the biggest moments of his short New England Patriots tenure.
Cooks was one of a group of Patriots players jeered as they stood locked arm in arm next to a group of players that knelt during the national anthem Sunday. The display was in response to criticism President Donald Trump levied against Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players and teams over the weekend.
All was forgotten by the home crowd about three hours later when Cooks was on the receiving end of a 25-yard, toe-tapping touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 23 seconds left in the game as the Patriots rallied to beat the Houston Texans 36-33.
Brady finished with five TD throws. Cooks caught five passes for 131 yards and pair of scores . It was the fifth multi-touchdown game and eighth 100-yard game of his career.
Cooks, in his first season with the Patriots, made clear his pregame demonstration wasn't meant to disrespect the military. Cooks' father, Worth Cooks, served in the Marines and died of a heart attack when his son was 6.
''It's one of those things where you want to stand with your brothers, kneel with your brothers and be by their side,'' Cooks said.
Brady finished 25 of 35 for 378 yards as New England (2-1) won its fifth straight regular-season meeting with Houston (1-2) and seventh of eight overall.
''I think no matter how you get it, you've got to figure out how to win the game,'' Brady said.
Brady stood next to Cooks pregame.
''I speak for myself. I believe what I believe,'' Brady said. ''We all go through ups and downs and there's struggles and it's life and we're all trying to navigate it as best we can.''
Texans rookie Deshaun Watson was strong in his second career start. The Patriots were thin on the edge without linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) for the second straight week, and Watson took advantage, completing 22 of 33 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.
But he did have two interceptions, including one that set up a New England first-half touchdown.
''It was really painful. That's all I can really say about that,'' Watson said.
The Patriots extended their halftime lead to 28-20 in the third quarter before Houston used a 12-yard TD pass from Watson to Ryan Griffin, and a 31-yard Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal to edge back in front 30-28 early in the fourth quarter.
PIVOTAL PLAYS
The Texans forced New England to punt with just over seven minutes to play, but had to settle for a 36-yard Fairbairn field goal with 2:24 left. Houston failed on a third-and-1 at the Patriots 18.
That left Brady room. After an early holding penalty pushed New England back to its 15, Brady used a 15-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski and 27-yarder to Danny Amendola to the Houston 25. But the Texans had a chance to end the game prior to the Amendola reception when safety Corey Moore dropped an interception on Brady's second-and-18 pass attempt to Cooks.
Instead Cooks made good on his second chance for the go-ahead score. He also caught the ensuing 2-point conversion.
Houston wasn't intimidated by the Patriots in the first half.
With Houston trailing 7-3 after an early Brady touchdown pass to Gronkowski, the Texans' defense handed Watson great field position on the Patriots 44. The rookie responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Bruce Ellington.
Watson got caught trying to do too much a few drives later and paid for it when Stephon Gilmore intercepted his pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins and returned it 39 yards to the Houston 12. Brady took the lead back two plays later when he hit a wide-open Chris Hogan across the middle for a 7-yard score.
It was 14-13 when Whitney Mercilus got free around the end and sacked Brady from the blind side. The ball popped free on the hit and it was picked up and returned 22 yards by Jadeveon Clowney for a touchdown.
But the Patriots responded again late in the half when Brady found Hogan wide open again for a 47-yard touchdown.
QUOTABLE
''I could have pushed him out of bounds. I am trying to relive the play and I could have done a lot of things a little bit differently.'' - Texans safety Corey Moore on defending Cooks' final touchdown
CLOWNEY'S BIG DAY
Clowney had two sacks along with his fumble return. He became the third player in Texans history with two sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown in a game, joining Mario Williams and J.J. Watt.
The two sacks also matched a career high for Clowney.
BRADY AND BREES
Brady had his sixth game with five TD passes and no interceptions, one behind New Orleans' Drew Brees for the most in a career.
ANTHEM PROTESTS
In addition Patriots players knelt or locked arms during the national anthem, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who's been a strong supporter of the president, expressed ''deep disappointment'' with Trump in a statement. Texans owner Robert McNair also called the president's comments ''divisive.''
INJURIES
Texans: Safety Andre Hal was shaken up in a collision with Amendola late in the fourth quarter.
Patriots: Tight end Jacob Hollister limped off the field early in the third quarter after a hard hit from Johnathan Joseph.
UP NEXT
The Texans return home for an AFC South matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
New England hosts the Carolina Panthers.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
D. Watson
4 QB 301 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 2 INTs, 41 RuYds |
24
FPTS
|
|
T. Brady
12 QB 378 PaYds, 5 PaTDs, 6 RuYds |
45
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. WatsonÂ
4 QB
24 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 22/33 | 301 | 2 | 2 | 24 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. MillerÂ
26 RB
5 FPTS
|
L. Miller | 14 | 56 | 0 | 12 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WatsonÂ
4 QB
24 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 8 | 41 | 0 | 7 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ForemanÂ
27 RB
8 FPTS
|
D. Foreman | 8 | 25 | 0 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ErvinÂ
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Ervin | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. EllingtonÂ
12 WR
11 FPTS
|
B. Ellington | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. HopkinsÂ
10 WR
7 FPTS
|
D. Hopkins | 8 | 7 | 76 | 0 | 21 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ForemanÂ
27 RB
8 FPTS
|
D. Foreman | 3 | 2 | 65 | 0 | 34 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GriffinÂ
84 TE
12 FPTS
|
R. Griffin | 6 | 5 | 61 | 1 | 35 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. EllingtonÂ
12 WR
11 FPTS
|
B. Ellington | 7 | 4 | 59 | 1 | 29 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. MillerÂ
13 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Miller | 4 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. AndersonÂ
89 TE
1 FPTS
|
S. Anderson | 3 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. MillerÂ
26 RB
5 FPTS
|
L. Miller | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ErvinÂ
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Ervin | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. ClowneyÂ
90 OLB
|
J. Clowney | 6-0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WattÂ
99 DE
|
J. Watt | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. MercilusÂ
59 OLB
|
W. Mercilus | 5-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JacksonÂ
25 CB
|
K. Jackson | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. CovingtonÂ
95 DE
|
C. Covington | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McKinneyÂ
55 ILB
|
B. McKinney | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BanksÂ
35 DB
|
J. Banks | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. CunninghamÂ
41 ILB
|
Z. Cunningham | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HalÂ
29 FS
|
A. Hal | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GilchristÂ
21 DB
|
M. Gilchrist | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MooreÂ
43 SS
|
C. Moore | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DrummondÂ
23 FS
|
K. Drummond | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ReaderÂ
98 NT
|
D. Reader | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ScarlettÂ
57 LB
|
B. Scarlett | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HopkinsÂ
10 WR
|
D. Hopkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. PleasantÂ
35 DB
|
E. Pleasant | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. MillerÂ
13 WR
|
B. Miller | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ErvinÂ
34 RB
|
T. Ervin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JosephÂ
24 CB
|
J. Joseph | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ColeÂ
51 LB
|
D. Cole | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
K. FairbairnÂ
7 K
15 FPTS
|
K. Fairbairn | 4/4 | 40 | 3/3 | 15 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. LechlerÂ
9 P
|
S. Lechler | 4 | 58.5 | 2 | 68 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Ervin 34 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Ervin | 3 | 6.7 | 9 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
45 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 25/35 | 378 | 5 | 0 | 45 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. GillisleeÂ
35 RB
3 FPTS
|
M. Gillislee | 12 | 31 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. White | 5 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
45 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
1 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. CooksÂ
14 WR
27 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 7 | 5 | 131 | 2 | 44 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GronkowskiÂ
87 TE
14 FPTS
|
R. Gronkowski | 10 | 8 | 89 | 1 | 22 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. HoganÂ
15 WR
18 FPTS
|
C. Hogan | 6 | 4 | 68 | 2 | 47 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AmendolaÂ
80 WR
4 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 5 | 3 | 48 | 0 | 27 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HollisterÂ
47 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Hollister | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
1 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 3 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. White | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AllenÂ
83 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Allen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. Van NoyÂ
53 OLB
|
K. Van Noy | 9-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McCourtyÂ
32 FS
|
D. McCourty | 9-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RobertsÂ
52 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrownÂ
90 NT
|
M. Brown | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MarshÂ
55 DE
|
C. Marsh | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. GilmoreÂ
24 CB
|
S. Gilmore | 4-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
31 CB
|
J. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FlowersÂ
98 DE
|
T. Flowers | 3-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BademosiÂ
29 DB
|
J. Bademosi | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ButlerÂ
21 CB
|
M. Butler | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. BoldenÂ
38 RB
|
B. Bolden | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. GuyÂ
93 DE
|
L. Guy | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarmonÂ
30 FS
|
D. Harmon | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. ChungÂ
23 SS
|
P. Chung | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WiseÂ
91 DE
|
D. Wise | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. GrissomÂ
92 DE
|
G. Grissom | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FlowersÂ
59 LB
|
M. Flowers | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ButlerÂ
70 DT
|
A. Butler | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. EbnerÂ
43 DB
|
N. Ebner | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CardonaÂ
49 LS
|
J. Cardona | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. GostkowskiÂ
3 K
4 FPTS
|
S. Gostkowski | 0/0 | 0 | 4/4 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. AllenÂ
6 P
|
R. Allen | 6 | 45.3 | 3 | 60 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
1 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 22.0 | 24 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Amendola 80 WR
4 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 2 | 26.5 | 33 | 0 |