CHALLENGE: The Patriots’ first touchdown was...
CHALLENGE: The Patriots’ first touchdown was set up by a successful coach’s challenge by Bill Belichick. After Stephen Gostkowski’s 24 yard field goal put New England up 3 0, Houston’s Charles James fielded the ensuing kickoff from just inside the end zone. James ran it out, and was tripped up at the 17. But the ball squirted out on a hit by Brandon Bolden. Duron Harmon recovered for the Patriots, but James ruled down on the field. Belichick challenged, and the call was reversed. NBC is also making a killing on its new five game “Thursday Night Football” package, which kicks off on Nov. 17 with an NFC South battle between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. Unlike its “SNF” units, which are not uniformly priced, the rates for NBC’s Thursday night quintet effectively were non negotiable. “They asked for $560,000 per :30,...