There were a couple times when it looked like the Houston Texans might have a chance to upend the New England Patriots. The opening kickoff, which went all the way to the Patriots' 12 was one. The 10 points just before halftime that made it a 17-13 game was another. But it sure doesn't feel like they have a chance now. Not after Brandon Lloyd caught a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Patriots up 31-13 in the waning seconds of the third quarter.
The drive started at the Patriots' 37-yard line and got going quickly with a nine-yard rush by Stevan Ridley. A 14-yard pass to Aaron Hernandez and a seven-yard completion to Lloyd kept the Pats going before Ridley carried twice for 28 yards. That moved the ball to the Houston five-yard line, where a quick pass to Lloyd was good for a touchdown. An extra point later and the New England lead was 18 points with just a litte more than a quarter to go for a berth in the AFC Championship Game.