Pats Pulpit
Pat Lane and Matt St. Jean relive New England’s overtime win in Houston, and their memorable goal line stop in Indy.
Twenty-one years ago, the New England Patriots completed the most dominant streak in the history of the NFL, finishing with 21 wins in a row across two seasons. Since it was such a dominant run, we have decided to take a look back at each one of the games.
This is the fourth in the series, so expect a ton more to come, and make sure to follow along on YouTube for the accompanying videos for each game as well.
Today, let’s take a look at Wins No. 7 and 8.
2003 Week 12 | Nov. 23, 2003, 1 p.m. ET | Reliant Stadium, Houston TX
Setting the scene: Following a pair of primetime victories over teams that would make the playoffs in 2003, the Patriots were hoping for an easier afternoon against a franchise that was 8-18 since debuting the year prior.
Unfortunately, they walked into the site of Super Bowl XXVIII down multiple receivers to face a well-coached Texans team.
The Patriots were already missing David Patten after he was put on injured reserve earlier that month, and David Givens and Troy Brown would both miss the game in Houston with injuries. With Deion Branch also playing through an ailment, that left Brady throwing to a depleted receiving corps that also included rookie Bethel Johnson and additions Dedric Ward and J.J. Stokes, both added that week.
The Texans entered Sunday winners of two of their last three. With starting quarterback David Carr injured, backup Tony Banks had led them to both wins and would get the start against New England. Banks would be throwing to rookie Andre Johnson and second-year wideout Jabar Gaffney with former Patriot Greg Randall at right tackle. Led by head coach Dom Capers and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Houston’s defense featured Pro Bowl cornerback Aaron Glenn on the outside and Marlon McCree at safety.
Game breakdown: To the surprise of many, it was Houston that got on the board first. The Texans took 8:41 off the clock in the opening quarter on a 14-play, 79-yard field goal drive. It was the longest drive in team history at the time.
Eugene Wilson’s 28-yard defensive pass interference penalty got the Texans into the red zone, and Jabar Gaffney scrambled on a blown-up double pass to get to the goal line. There, New England’s defense would hold firm.
The Patriots failed to score in the first quarter for the first time since Week 1, but it only took them four plays into the second to find the end zone. Tom Brady found Bethel Johnson from 27 yards out for his first touchdown as the Pats went on top 7-3.
New England’s defense would lock in from that point on, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs while the offense drove back into the red zone. Brady threw an interception to...
