Patriots-Texans updates

Globe reporters provide analysis and commentary throughout New England's playoff opener against Houston at Gillette Stadium.

3rd & 7 37yd

Brady running for his life again, Patriots go three and out again. Texans' interior pass rush is dominant

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:57:31 AM
Brady almost throws another INT to Floyd. Definitely not on the same page yet

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:56:03 AM
Dion Lewis takes a knee to start 2d half. #Patriots

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:55:13 AM
HALFTIME: #Patriots 17, #Texans 13. It's been...weird.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:41:54 AM
So far, Patriots have 19 rushing yards on 9 attempts.

by Alex Speier via twitter 1/15/2017 2:40:24 AM
Texans' run defense was porous early in '16, incl 185-yard effort by Patriots in Week 3. Last 10 games: 71 yds/game allowed, fewest in NFL.

by Alex Speier via twitter 1/15/2017 2:40:02 AM
Patriots got stuffed twice, settle for 19-yard FG, take 17-13 lead.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:39:40 AM
Gostkowski's 19-yarder gives #Patriots a 17-13 lead. New England gets the ball to start the second half. bostonglobe.com/sports/patriot…

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:39:10 AM
Patriots get a FG to take 17-13 lead, and will get the ball back to start the 3Q

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:39:00 AM
Patriots stuffed on two straight plays. Now bring on the FG unit. Not an impressive display by McDaniels and Brady down by the goal line

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:38:22 AM
Texans' D is playing with a lot of heart tonight

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:36:58 AM
5th time in Brady's playoff career he's had 2 completions of 40+ yards in one playoff game.

by Alex Speier via twitter 1/15/2017 2:32:34 AM
?!?!?!?!?

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:31:30 AM
More of that Brady chuck-it-up magic. Edelman lucky he wasn't called for a push-off

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:31:23 AM
Texans are demolishing the Patriots' interior OL

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:30:28 AM
Rob Ninkovich with the huge pass break up. #Patriots

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:28:06 AM
Mercilus is merciless tonight. Big third down sack knocks the Patriots out of FG range

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:24:27 AM
Patriots reduced to chucking it up on third down and hoping for a prayer. Hogan answers it with a 45 yard catch

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:22:33 AM
That's one way to get some mojo back.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:22:31 AM
Cushing gets full credit on that sack of Brady, half-sack taken away from Mercilus. And none for Gretchen Weiners.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:21:19 AM
Andre Hal got away with an early hit on that one

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:21:13 AM
#Texans RB Tyler Ervin is in the concussion protocol.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:20:30 AM
Technically speaking if you're going to trail the Pats by a point, this is how. twitter.com/si_nfl/status/…

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:17:12 AM
Texans have already run 29 offensive plays. Patriots' defense might get run ragged

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:16:10 AM
Jabaal Sheard has returned to action. #Patriots

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:15:34 AM
Jabaal Sheard is back in the game.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:15:31 AM
Revenge of Tomato Cans early here in Foxboro, but it will never last.

by Dan Shaughnessy via twitter 1/15/2017 2:15:02 AM
Patriots' 2 turnovers a reminder: Of the 15 No. 1 seeds to lose in conference playoffs since 2000, 13 lost TO battle bostonglobe.com/sports/patriot…

by Alex Speier via twitter 1/15/2017 2:14:51 AM
Can't believe how quickly the momentum turned in this one

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:14:11 AM
PA system is playing "Shake It Off" which is both topical and a fantastic song. #Tswift

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:10:43 AM
Crowd is quiet at Gillette as Taylor Swift's Shake it Off plays. #Patriots

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:10:30 AM
Don't look now but we have a football game going on here.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:09:48 AM
Patriots' playoff record under B/B when committing 2+ turnovers: 6-4 (though lost 2 of last 3).

by Alex Speier via twitter 1/15/2017 2:09:42 AM
Novak PAT is good, and now it's 14-13 Patriots with 10:49 left 2Q. Patriots have literally handed the Texans all 13 points

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:09:26 AM
Texans TD Osweiler to Fiedorowicz and this is a ball game. #Patriots lead, 14-13. New England has run 6 plays. bostonglobe.com/sports/patriot…

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:09:10 AM
Beautiful playcall by the Texans, double playaction fake and an easy TD pass to Fiedorowicz. You can hear a pin drop at Gillette

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:08:40 AM
Another turnover and Texans are keeping Tom Brady off the field. #Patriots

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:07:08 AM
Whoa, now Dion Lewis fumbles away the kickoff. This is quickly turning into the 2015 Eagles game....

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:06:44 AM
Sheard limped down the length of the sideline. Now sitting on the bench with trainers. Looks like they're working on his right leg.

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:04:35 AM
Novak 27 FG is good, and Patriots now lead 14-6 with 11:36 left 2Q. Probably the right move to take the points.

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 2:03:46 AM
Jabaal Sheard was shaken up on that play. Walking off gingerly. #Patriots lead is 14-6.

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 2:03:32 AM
Really going to kick here?

by Nora Princiotti via twitter 1/15/2017 2:02:55 AM
Patriots have run 6 offensive plays compared to 24 for the Texans

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 1:59:17 AM
Ball tipped off Michael Floyd's hands and the Texans are have great field position. #NEvsHOU

by Jim McBride via twitter 1/15/2017 1:58:24 AM
Brady's timing with Floyd is off, deflection INT for Bouye. Only Brady's third INT all season

by Ben Volin via twitter 1/15/2017 1:58:22 AM