In Week 14 of the 2012 NFL season, the Houston Texans trekked to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots in what Texans’ fans called the biggest game in franchise history. The Patriots won 42-14 and thoroughly embarrassed a team that had been hyped to be the AFC’s most frightening team. On Sunday the Texans were anything but scary as they lost 28-41 in a game that was dominated by the Patriots. This marks Tom Brady‘s 17th career playoff victory eclipsing the great San Francisco 49ers QB Joe Montana who had 16 in his tenure in the NFL.
At halftime, the Texans were in the ballgame only trailing by four points as they held Brady and his wide range of targets to 17 points. The Texans biggest worry was of course holding the Patriots under the 42 points that go racked up on them just weeks prior. However, RB Shane Vereen was a definite thorn in their side as he became the 3rd player in NFL postseason history with two Touchdown catches and a TD run in one game. Stevan Ridley also had a big game with 84 rush yards and a TD–the Patriots backfield had quite the afternoon versus a Texan defense that hasn’t been the same without Brian Cushing.
On the bright side, the Texans offense started to come around later in Sunday’s game ,but it was simply to little to late. In two fourth quarter drives the Texans converted two touchdowns and a two point conversion but were held to zero touchdowns in a third quarter dominated by the Patriots.
The attention now turns to the AFC Championship game of the Baltimore Ravens and the Patriots. This is a rematch of last years game that was decided by a missed field goal from Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff–giving the Patriots a 23-20 victory.
