Patriots Defeat Oilers to End Losing Streak

Running back John Stephens sparked New England’s offense, and the defense shut down the AFC’s highest-scoring team as the Patriots beat the Houston Oilers, 23-13, Sunday.

Stephens, sidelined the last two games with an ankle injury, opened up New England’s running game, making it easier for quarterback Doug Flutie to throw and the Patriots to end their three-game losing streak.

Stephens gained 59 yards in 21 carries and played key roles in New England’s first three scoring drives. He also ran for an 11-yard touchdown that gave the Patriots a 20-3 lead with 5:58 left in the third quarter.

“The fact that we were running the ball so well made it a little bit easier on our offensive line” to block on pass plays, said Flutie, who was sacked just once.

“I didn’t feel there was anything their defense could do that we weren’t prepared for,” said Stephens, the AFC’s second leading rusher as a rookie last year.

Greg Davis added three field goals as the Patriots, who began the game as the AFC’s lowest-scoring team, matched their point total for their previous three games.

“There was a sense of urgency,” Flutie said. “We wanted to win badly, and if you want it badly enough, you can do it.”

Houston Coach Jerry Glanville was frustrated with the Oilers, who lost two fumbles on kick returns that set up touchdowns.

“You can’t win if you can’t make basic plays,” he said.

The Oilers, who averaged 38 points in their previous three games, got field goals by Tony Zendejas of 46 yards on the final play of the first half and 22 yards early in the fourth quarter. Warren Moon threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Drew Hill, cutting the lead to 23-13 with 5:11 left.

Moon was sacked three times and intercepted twice after completing a career high 82.6% of his passes in a 39-7 win over Miami last week. He completed 14 of 29 passes for 227 yards against the Patriots.

The Patriots (2-3) got a first-half touchdown for the first time in four games. Marvin Allen’s one-yard run with 1:08 left in the first quarter made the score 10-0. It was set up by Stephens’ seven-yard run for a first down at the Houston one-yard line.

Davis kicked field goals of 30 yards in the first quarter and 34 yards in the third quarter, giving the Patriots a 13-3 lead. He added a 43-yarder with 6:49 left.