HOUSTON (AP) -- New England coach Bill Belichick downplayed the return of Rob Gronkowski on Sunday night since he'd only been out for one game.
Tom Brady was far more effusive in his delight at having his tight end back.
Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and the Patriots snapped a two-game skid and clinched a playoff spot with a 27-6 win over the Houston Texans.
"He's a huge influence on what we do offensively," Brady said. "He really toughed it out so I'm proud of him. He had a big touchdown catch. He's obviously a big part of what we do so it was great to have him out there. ... Football is always trust and anticipation and there's nobody that I trust more than Gronk."
The Patriots (11-2) moved ahead of the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals in the race for the top AFC playoff seed and can clinch the AFC East with one win, or with one loss or tie by the New York Jets. New England hasn't lost three straight games since 2002.
Brady threw TD passes to Keshawn Martin and Gronkowski in the first half to help New England build a 17-6 lead. Gronkowski had four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in his return after missing last week's game with a knee injury.
"It's always good to make a play, get a touchdown," Gronkowski said. "The icing on the cake is that win."
The Patriots didn't move the ball as well in the second half, but the defense harassed Brian Hoyer into multiple mistakes. Jabaal Sheard had strip sacks on Hoyer twice after halftime. The Patriots recovered the second one early in the fourth, and James White made it 27-6 with a 2-yard run three plays later.
"I thought we had a lot of guys step up," Belichick said. "That's what we need. Everybody needs to contribute."
Hoyer was sacked five times and left the game to be evaluated for a concussion with about 9 minutes remaining. The quarterback already missed a game this season after getting a concussion on Nov. 16. Coach Bill O'Brien said he didn't have more details on Hoyer's injury, but that it looked like he had a concussion.
Hoyer was 11 of 22 for 155 yards.
The Texans (6-7) recovered a fumble and forced two punts by the Patriots in the third quarter, but weren't able to take advantage of any of those opportunities and entered the fourth quarter trailing 20-6. Houston remains tied for first place in the AFC South with the Colts, who the Texans face next week.
J.J. Watt played despite breaking his left hand in practice on Wednesday. He wore a cast that enclosed his fingers in a club-like ball.
"It poses some problems, but it wasn't that bad," Watt said. "There were times where it was painful, but that's football, you know? People play with pain all the time."
The Texans won two challenges on plays that were called receptions on New England's first drive of the second half, forcing the Patriots to kick a 49-yard field goal to make it 20-6.
"You can't start slow against a team like that at all or the results are going to be what happened tonight," Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins said.
Houston was forced to punt on its next possession, but Martin fumbled the return and the Texans recovered on the New England 21. But the Texans couldn't move the ball and turned it over after a failed fourth-down attempt.
The Texans were driving again later in the third when Hoyer fumbled and the Patriots recovered. Houston challenged the call and it was overturned, but he actually fumbled on the next play on a sack by Sheard. The Texans recovered but lost 10 yards on the play and had to punt again.
Gronkowski simply outjumped Quintin Demps to grab a 1-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to extend New England's lead to 17-6.
The Patriots took a 7-0 lead when former Texan Martin got away from rookie Kevin Johnson and was wide open in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown. That score was set up when Brady threw across his body and on the run to Gronkowski for a 45-yard gain earlier in the drive. Gronkowski was open after linebacker Whitney Mercilus fell trying to cover him.
The Texans cut the lead to 7-3 on a 37-yard field goal by Nick Novak in the first quarter.
New England got a 43-yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 10-3.
Jonathan Grimes had a 37-yard run on Houston's next drive, but the offense stalled soon after that and the team settled for a 45-yard field goal to get within 10-6.
NOTES: The Patriots have clinched a playoff spot for the 17th time in the 22 years that Robert Kraft has owned the team. ... Last year's top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney had two sacks for the first multiple sack game in his career with Houston. ... New England RB LeGarrette Blount injured his hip in the first half and didn't return.
View a collection of the best images from the Patriots regular season game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, December 13, 2015.
A general view of NRG Stadium, the 50 yard line and the Houston Texans logo are seen prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) arrives to the stadium prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99), right, and linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) ham it up as they arrive to the stadium prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, talks with Houston Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, left, before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots center David Andrews walks on the turf at NRG Stadium in his bare feet before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski arrives at NRG Stadium before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (David J. Phillip)
Hines Ward, from left, Cris Collinsworth and Bob Costas, right, sit on the pregame show set before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, center, talks with New England Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, right, on the field during team warm ups before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft talks with a game official before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and Josh Boyce (82) participate in pre game warm ups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft, left, and Houston Texans team owner Bob McNair talk on the field before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greet before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Houston Texans and New England Patriots watch the coin in the air during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley (99) celebrates after he sacked Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) hands the ball off to running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Boyce (82) runs around Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Keshawn Martin (82) celebrates with teammate Rob Gronkowski (87) after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is pulled down by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is stopped by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) walks along the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to a coach on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is helped off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass for a touchdown over Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with head linesman Tony Veteri (36) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after they connected on a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates with teammates New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New England Patriots tight end Michael Williams (85) after his touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) is pressured by New England Patriots defensive end Jabaal Sheard (93) before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) escapes the grasp of Houston Texans strong safety Andre Hal (29) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Officials talk with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass for a touchdown over Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the first hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
A member of the New England Patriots staff gives quarterback Tom Brady (12) a sip from a fluid container during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Jabaal Sheard (93) checks on Dominique Easley, bottom after Easley suffered an unknown injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks an field goal under pressure from Houston Texans strong safety Kevin Johnson (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) drops back from the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sideline watching play against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots defensive end Akiem Hicks (72) celebrates after he sacked Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) is sacked by New England Patriots' Jabaal Sheard (93) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots' Jabaal Sheard (93) sacks Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and head coach Bill Belichick during talk by the team bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Akiem Hicks (72) celebrates sacking Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Keshawn Martin (82) fumbles a punt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. Houston recovered the ball. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Alan Branch (97) and Akiem Hicks (72) celebrate after Hicks sacked Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots cornerback Darryl Roberts (28) celebrates with teammates after he scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs around Houston Texans strong safety Andre Hal (29) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' Vince Wilfork (75) and New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) greet each other after their NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after their NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) jogs off the field after their NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to the media following an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
