Patriots film review: Gronkowski's play opened up the offense

FOXBORO — Rob Gronkowski was so dominant on Sunday that he affected the game even when the ball didn’t come his way.

The tight end put on a show in the Patriots' 27-20 win against the Houston Texans, catching seven of eight passes thrown his way for 123 yards and a touchdown. He was also the Patriots' only truly reliable weapon on third down. He accounted for three of the team's four third-down conversions.

The first big play [...]

FOXBORO — Rob Gronkowski was so dominant on Sunday that he affected the game even when the ball didn’t come his way.

The tight end put on a show in the Patriots' 27-20 win against the Houston Texans, catching seven of eight passes thrown his way for 123 yards and a touchdown. He was also the Patriots' only truly reliable weapon on third down. He accounted for three of the team's four third-down conversions.

The first big play Gronkowski made on Sunday was on a third-and-12 in the first quarter. He was lined up wide left and ran straight to the end zone. Gronkowski was double covered by safety Kareem Jackson and linebacker Zach Cunningham, but it didn’t matter. Brady threw a perfect back shoulder pass to the sideline with defenders on the inside of Gronkowski. He snatched the ball and kicked the pylon for the 21-yard touchdown reception.

Gronkowski also opened up two touchdowns for his teammates.

In the second quarter, Tom Brady hit James White for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Gronkowski, lined up on the right edge of the line, ran a slant over the middle. As he broke to the left both linebackers — Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney moved with him. That opened up space on the right side for White. When White caught the ball, the only player near him, Kevin Johnson, was in the end zone and White easily made him miss at the goal line.

With 19 seconds left in the half, Brady hit Phillip Dorsett for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Gronkowski was lined up out wide to the right. Immediately, Jackson moved over for the double team with Justin Reid. That left three wideouts lined up to the left with three defensive backs. Johnson had no help as Dorsett ran an out route in the end zone and Brady easily hit him for the score.

Third-down woes

The Pats were just 29 percent (4 of 14) on third-down conversions.

Brady was 3 of 4 for 55 yards and a touchdown when targeting Gronkowski on third down. He was 1 of 6 for five yards and an interception when targeting anyone else. Only Chris Hogan, Rex Burkhead and White saw targets on third down.

When the Patriots ran on third down, they went 1 of 6 with Burkhead’s 4-yard run on third-and-1 the lone conversion.

The Patriots mixed and matched their formations, using seven different personnel lineups on third down. The most common was three receivers, one tight end and one back. That was used on seven snaps, and was successful three times. The grouping of Chris Hogan, Dorsett and Riley McCarron, Gronkowski and White was used the most — four times.

The Pats used a two-back set on three occasions, a two tight end set twice and a run heavy package with fullback James Develin twice.

Bringing pressure

New England's pass rush was outstanding on Sunday, but the pass coverage deserved some credit as well.

Stephon Gilmore drew the tough assignment of DeAndre Hopkins (eight catches, 78 yards) and the corner performed well. Deshaun Watson was 4 of 7 for 50 yards when targeting Gilmore, who finished with an interception and pass breakup.

Gilmore’s interception in the second quarter was a good example of the defense coming together.

As Lawrence Guy brought pressure and hit Watson, Gilmore switched off of Hopkins and ran to his right to help Eric Rowe. Rowe was covering Vyncint Smith and looked like he would have an interception. Instead, Gilmore jumped in front of Rowe for the pick.

Jonathan Jones was outstanding. Watson was 0 of 4 when targeting the slot corner. Jones also had two pass breakups.