Arian Foster ran for 140 yards on 32 carries, and a touchdown to lead the Texans over the Bengals, 19-13, Saturday in an AFC wild-card gam at Reliant Stadium, earning a rematch with the Patriots next Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in the AFC divisonal round at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots crushed the Texans, 42-14, on Monday night football on Dec. 10 at Gillette Stadium.
In a rematch of last year's AFC wild-card matchup, the Texans and J.J. Watt were able to pressure Andy Dalton in the first half, holding the Bengals to -6 passing yards. The Bengals still managed a 7-6 lead when Leon Hall returned a Matt Schaub interception 21 yards in the second quarter. The Texans dominated the first half in time of possession but managed just three field goals, taking a 9-7 halftime lead.
The Texans were able to finally finish a scoring drive with a touchdown in the third quarter when Arian Foster ran it in from two yards out to make it 16-7. The Bengals and Dalton finally targeted A.J. Green on the next drive as Cincinnati worked its way into the red zone. But Dalton misfired to Green and they had to settle for a field goal that made it 16-10.
The Bengals got ball back but Dalton threw an interception to former Bengal Johnathan Joseph set up Houston's fourth field goal of the day, giving the Texans a 19-10 lead. The Bengals responded with a 47-yard Josh Brown field goal, making it 19-13 with nine minutes left.
Twice the Texans had fourth-and-1 and Gary Kubiak decided to punt, even with Foster available. They gave the Bengals the ball twice, including with 6:15 left in the game and a chance to drive 80 yards for the go-ahead score. The Bengals drove down to the Texans 35 but the drive stalled as Dalton missed a wide open Green in the end zone on third down and were stopped on fourth down. The Bengals finished 0-for-9 on third down.
The Bengals became the first team in NFL history to go 0-6 all-time in road playoff games. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also fell to 0-4 in the playoffs. Lewis, who is now the second-longest tenured NFL coach behind Bill Belichick, has gone longer without a playoff win (10 seasons) than any coach in NFL history.
For more, visit the Patriots team page at weei.com/patriots.
Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.
On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.
In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.
Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.
John Farrell postgame press conference
Joe & Dave talked to the Sox outfielder, who pounded the ball out of the park to win the second game of the doubleheader against the Rays.
John Farrell postgame press conference
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Keegan Bradley hopped on the set in Connecticut with D&C to talk some golf, but seeing as how he's a big Boston sports fan, the interview covered a lot of ground. You can hear Keegan talk about the Bruins' Cup chances, the Doc Rivers deal that almost was, and Shawn Thornton's lacking golf game.
Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins' win.
Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Salk and Holley break down a big Bruins win over the Blackhawks in Game 3 at the Garden.
We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, as Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for Game 3 and beyond.
Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. T.O. visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.
Mikey gets a surprise call from Red Sox legend Bernie Carbo. They talk about old-time baseball and Bernie's new book.
Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, "Plimpton!" and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything George Plimpton accomplished during his life.
Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.
You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.
The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.
You ask, we answer... anything!
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
More from this showShawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.
More from this showThe guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.
More from this showBoth Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.
More from this showIt all started when McNeil and Spiegel from The Score in Chicago called Boston people drunks and called Fenway a "dump." Knowing that McNeil and Speigel weren't interested in talking to them on air, Lou called in to their show anyway. At first they were afraid, but they finally succumbed to the pressure.
More from this show