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Patriots look to secure fourth straight AFC East title

Dec 17, 2006 - 3:13 PM Houston (4-9) at New England (9-4) 1:00 pm EST

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The New England Patriots are closing in on winning their fourth straight AFC East title. However, they did not look like a playoff team last week.

Seeking to rebound from their worst performance of the season, the Patriots host the Houston Texans on Sunday.

If New England wins this contest and the New York Jets lose at Minnesota, the Patriots would win their fourth straight divisional title. The Patriots are two games ahead of the Jets.

Tom Brady, the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, and Bill Belichick - considered the game's best coach - have been together for each of the division titles.

Brady and Belichick were humbled last Sunday as the Patriots endured a 21-0 loss at Miami. It marked the first time New England was shut out since a 31-0 thrashing at Buffalo on September 7, 2003.

Against the Dolphins, the Patriots totaled 12 first downs and 189 yards - both season lows - and lost three fumbles, giving them 11 turnovers in the past three games.

"We just couldn't do anything right," said Brady, who completed just 12-of-25 passes for 78 yards and was sacked four times.

Two weeks ago, the Patriots also struggled before rallying from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit in a 28-21 victory over the Detroit Lions, who are tied for the NFL's worst record.

The Texans are one loss away from clinching their second straight last-place finish in the AFC South. They have lost three of their last four games entering this contest.

Last Sunday, Ron Dayne rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the Texans' 26-20 overtime loss to Tennessee.