Brady far from satisfied
Says team must improve
FOXBORO — This won’t be Tom Brady’s fondest postseason memory.
The four-time Super Bowl champion extended his record last night with a 23rd playoff victory during the Patriots’ 34-16 triumph over the Texans at Gillette Stadium, but it wasn’t a masterpiece.
Brady completed 18-of-38 passes, and his 47.4 completion percentage was the worst of his 32 postseason starts. He threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he improved to 5-4 in the playoffs when he tosses at least a pair of picks.
As such, Brady was anything but celebratory afterward.
“The turnovers obviously hurt us quite a bit,” Brady said. “We’ve got to try to tighten those up this week. Whoever we play next week is going to be a great football team, and we’re going to have to play better than we did tonight on offense.”
Bill Belichick told the team after the game its effort wouldn’t be good enough to beat the Chiefs or Steelers, who play tonight for the chance to visit the Pats in the AFC Championship Game.
The blame for Brady’s first interception is debatable. The throw was a bit off, but it’s possible receiver Michael Floyd didn’t run a sharp enough route. Floyd
also did get his hands on the pass before it deflected into defensive back A.J. Bouye’s grasp.
Brady then didn’t see linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who tipped a pass over the middle to safety Andre Hal for the second pick. The 39-year-old quarterback probably would have liked a do-over on a misfire to receiver Julian
Edelman on a third-down incompletion when it was still 24-16.
And there were a number of uncharacteristic deep heaves, which in the past have been signs of frustration with the offensive operation. So while Brady played poorly, he certainly had company, and the Patriots know they’ve got to make significant strides in the next week.
“There were a lot of things between what they were doing and what we were doing that were causing us problems,” Brady said. “It was just very inconsistent for us all the way around. We just didn’t do enough in any area, but they’ve got a good defense.”
Marty B’s knee
Tight end Martellus Bennett hit the turf for a couple of minutes in the fourth quarter and clutched his left knee, which appeared to be a major casualty when the outcome was in hand.
But, similar to his ankle injury in Week 5 against the Browns, Bennett popped back up, jogged to the sideline and returned to the field shortly thereafter. He wasn’t wearing a brace on his knee after the game and said he was fine.
“I’ve been fighting through (injuries) the whole year,” Bennett said. “I’m not going to stop now. I’m getting too close to what my goal is in life.”
Bennett dealt with a severe ankle injury for about three months, and his shoulder didn’t do him many favors this season, either. So the knee is the latest hurdle.
He might not be a doctor, but he’s seen one on TV.
“I watch a lot of ‘House’, but I’m no doctor,” Bennett said.
Rolling Ryan
Cornerback Logan Ryan has played lights out since Week 11, and he had one of the best games of his career last night with an interception, a sack and two thirddown pass breakups.
“I felt good,” Ryan said. “I just felt confident. I felt like I played terrible in the division game last year against Kansas City, so I felt like it was some redemption. I felt comfortable playing this offense. I’ve seen (Texans receiver
DeAndre) Hopkins for years. I had a pretty good game the first time. I knew they were going to come after me, so I just wanted to be extra locked in and be able to capitalize when they were throwing at me because I didn’t want to let the team down.”
Debut on hold
Rookie wide receiver Malcolm
Mitchell still wasn’t ready to return due to a right knee injury that he suffered in Week 16.
However, a source said Mitchell had a strong chance of playing in the AFC Championship Game.
The writing was on the wall for Mitchell’s absence because he was the only player with a gameday injury status on the injury report. Mitchell was limited upon his return to practice, including for the Friday walkthrough.
Where is Roger?
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t attend this game at Gillette Stadium after a week of speculation over whether or not he’d end his string of conspicuous absences. Goodell hasn’t attended a game at Gillette since Deflategate.
For those wondering about Goodell’s safety, the Patriots, like every other NFL team, would have accommodated him with a suite. Goodell doesn’t need to be invited by the Patriots, either, as he has the choice of which games to attend. Patriots president Jonathan
Kraft was asked by 98.5 The Sports Hub’s pregame show if Goodell is welcome at Gillette.
“I’ll let you ask the league office about that,” Kraft replied.