Clowney: To beat Patriots, defense must pressure Brady
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney knows what the Texans have to do to upset the Patriots and win at New England for the first time.
But actually pulling it off is a different story.
The defense has to get to quarterback Tom Brady and hit him early and often.
“We’ve got to create some pressure up front,” Clowney said Thursday. “It’s going to come down to the D-line getting pressure, and, hopefully, he’ll got off his spot and make some bad passes. He doesn’t do that a lot.
“We have to move around and try to get to him, and the guys on the back end do their job, play tight coverage and probably get our job done.
“If you can get some hits on the quarterback, all of them get frustrated. If you make some tipped passes or turn the ball over, it frustrates them early in the game.”
The defense needs to play the way it did in the 34-16 playoff loss at Gillette Stadium.
The Texas trailed 24-16 in the fourth quarter before Brock Osweiler threw his second of three interceptions that gave New England the ball at the Texans’ 6, setting up an easy touchdown.
The Texans limited Brady to 18-of-38 for 287 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots quarterback was sacked twice by Whitney Mercilus and Brian Cushing and intercepted by A.J. Bouye and Andre Hal.
The Patriots also lost a fumble and converted only 36 percent (5-of-14) on third down.
Hopkins drawing plenty of attention
Receiver DeAndre Hopkins had seven catches in each of the first two games. No other player on the team has more than seven in two games. The only other wide receiver with a reception is Braxton Miller with two.
Opponents know quarterback Deshaun Watson is going to throw the ball to Hopkins.
“It really doesn’t change anything about the way I play,” Hopkins said about opponents knowing he’s going to get the ball. “More on me just trying to get open because I know there are going to be at least four eyes on me, more than likely.”
The best thing Hopkins can do for Watson is to catch everything thrown in his direction.
“He’s a young quarterback, so I don’t want to be in his ear the whole game because he has a lot going on (with) the offense and the defensive schemes,” Hopkins said. “The coaches do a good job when he comes to the sideline making sure he has everything together or what we can correct.”
Foreman gets more involved
Rookie running back D’Onta Foreman played a bigger role in the victory at Cincinnati than he did in the loss against Jacksonville. Foreman carried once for 4 yards against the Jaguars and 12 times for 40 yards against the Bengals.
“I left some yards on the field, but, hopefully, I correct that (at New England),” he said.
About leaving yards on the field, Foreman said, “Make them miss in the open field. That’s something I’m capable of doing.
Griffin, Anderson and Ellington return
Receiver Will Fuller (collarbone), cornerback Kevin Johnson (knee) and right guard Jeff Allen (ankle) are out of Sunday’s game.
Running back Alfred Blue (ankle) returned to practice on a limited basis, and might be able to play, according to coach Bill O’Brien. Three players who missed the Cincinnati game because of concussions — tight ends Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson and receiver Bruce Ellington — will play against the Patriots.
Defense readying for up-tempo attack
Coach Bill O’Brien says the Texans’ defense has to be ready for the Patriots’ up-tempo offense. They’ve seen it enough to be prepared for it.
“We better be lined up,” O’Brien said. “They’re going to go fast. They’re going up-tempo whether they huddle or go nohuddle.”
The Patriots are able to play an up-tempo style because quarterback Tom Brady runs it so effectively.
“They have a really efficient, fast tempo,” O’Brien said. “Not out of control but very sharp. No matter what personnel grouping you’re in, you better be lined up and know what your responsibility is. The ball’s going to be snapped very quickly.”