Sunday 15 January 2017 09:16, UK
Dion Lewis scored three touchdowns as the New England Patriots beat the Houston Texans 34-16. Tom Brady threw two interceptions, and the Patriots started off slowly, before a rallying second half performance clinched a sixth successive AFC Championship game.
In 140 characters
Patriots less than dominant, but do enough to battle past the Texans. Houston impress on defence, but offensive frailties once again cost them.
MVP
Dion Lewis scored on a reception, a rush, and a kick return - the first player in post-season history to achieve such a feat. He also had two fumbles, but the Patriots were good enough to overcome their own shortcomings.
Game-changer
Brock Osweiler threw four second half interceptions, but the third cost the team a touchdown, and took away any chance of a fightback.
Stat of the night
Lewis' 98-yard kick return touchdown was the longest in Patriots play-off history. New England hadn't scored on a kick back - in regular or post-season - since October 2012.
The game
After a slow start, New England took advantage of a holding penalty on wide receiver Chris Hogan, which handed the offence a 30-yard gain. Brady then found Hogan for another 22 yards, before running back Lewis collected a short pass and accelerated past two defenders for the touchdown.
Houston responded with a field goal, but on the resulting kick-off, Lewis took the ball 98 yards to become the first player in NFL history to score a touchdown and kick-return touchdown in the same play-off quarter.
Houston added another field goal, but the big play came from defence when Brady's pass was intercepted by A.J. Bouye, handing the Texans possession at New England's 12-yard line. Osweiler took over and, after a two-yard run from Lamar Miller, the QB found tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz in the end zone.
The Patriots offence looked out of sorts all half, struggling to establish a passing game. Brady was sacked twice, but the home side took made it 17-14, after a 19-yard field goal from Steven Gostkowski.
James White added the Patriots' third touchdown early in the second half, as Brady led his team 90 yards in nine plays, before connecting with wide receiver White on a 19-yard, sideline pass.
Houston had a chance to get back into the end zone, but rookie wide receiver Will Fuller dropped a catch-able ball on third down.
Brady threw his second interception of the night - as many as he threw in the entire regular season - which lead to a Houston field goal, early in the fourth quarter.
But it was Osweiler's pick which proved even more costly. The Texans QB threw high over the head of Hopkins and the ball was caught by Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan, who took it back to Houston's six-yard line.
Lewis made a five-yard gain, before driving into the end zone, becoming the first player in post-season history to score on a reception, rush and a return.
The Patriots' set another NFL record, progressing to their sixth consecutive AFC Championship game. It was far from a complete performance, but the home side did enough, and can now prepare for the visit of either the Kansas City Chiefs of Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.
