Why I'm glad to see Houston

[Bhelmet]

If we can have the same D personnel in this game (plus a couple of others who have come back since then), I will feel good about this game. We have the same O (with a couple of others who have come back since then), so I have less worry on this side of the ball. Our destiny for this season hinges upon the health of the defense - we know they are good enough - we need to know if they are healthy enough.

 

[mgcolby]

Can't say that anyone gets a warm fuzzy getting ready to play a team with a QB named Luck who wears a Horseshoe on his helmet....:confused2:

 

[Fixit]

IMO the Miami game holds no weight. Yes, we played well, but it was against a team that was only thinking of getting on with their off season.

Or finishing at .500.

 

[JMarr]

Worst possible Divisional Round matchup we could have gotten. The Texans were the team I really didn't want to see again. Sure they choked bigtime down the stretch and Schaub is no Manning, but I firmly believe they are the 2nd best team in the AFC tournament, especially if you take Denver's HFA away.

In spite of the pre-game talk and hype, in December the Texans obviously weren't ready to play us. This time they will be and should know everything NOT to do. Nobody in the Pats organization [nor our fans for that matter] should be remotely looking past Houston at this point.

 

[mgcolby]

Worst possible Divisional Round matchup we could have gotten. The Texans were the team I really didn't want to see again. Sure they choked bigtime down the stretch and Schaub is no Manning, but I firmly believe they are the 2nd best team in the AFC tournament, especially if you take Denver's HFA away.

In spite of the pre-game talk and hype, in December the Texans obviously weren't ready to play us. This time they will be and should know everything NOT to do. Nobody in the Pats organization [nor our fans for that matter] should be remotely looking past Houston at this point.

In their past four games which were against Indy (twice), Minny and Cincy the Texans are averaging 16.2 PPG on offense and allwoing 20.2 PPG on defense. That does not sound like a team that is playing like the 2nd best team in the AFC. They completely dominated the Bengals yesterday and were an Andy Dalton overthrow to AJ Green away from losing.

They have scored over 20 points once in that span and that was the first game against the Colts where they scored 29. In week 17 against the Colts with HFA on the line they go into and Indy and lay a turd only scoring 16 points.

This game will be closer than the last game, but NE still wins this game by 10+.

 

[JMC00]

and that was the first game against the Colts where they scored 29.

7 of those were because of a blocked punt returned for a TD and they only scored one Offensive TD in that game. Made 5 fields goals.

 

[Bhelmet]

Nobody in the Pats organization [nor our fans for that matter] should be remotely looking past Houston at this point.

I cannot speak for the organization, but something tells me they will not overlook anyone. As for the fans, some will; some will not. This game has become more difficult for the Texans, for no other reason than the return of Gronk. This game becomes more difficult for us depending upon the health of key guys on our D. Spikes, Dennard, and Talib have had lots of rest - so my hopes are high. Of course, I have no idea about the severity of the injuries. Our O will be more potent than the first meeting.

 

[Ring 6]

Worst possible Divisional Round matchup we could have gotten. The Texans were the team I really didn't want to see again. Sure they choked bigtime down the stretch and Schaub is no Manning, but I firmly believe they are the 2nd best team in the AFC tournament, especially if you take Denver's HFA away.

In spite of the pre-game talk and hype, in December the Texans obviously weren't ready to play us. This time they will be and should know everything NOT to do. Nobody in the Pats organization [nor our fans for that matter] should be remotely looking past Houston at this point.

Because when those fans look past the oppoenent the impact is devastating.

 

[JMC00]

I believe during this stretch they have only had 4 legit offensive TD. While Graham has made 14 FG

 

[mgcolby]

Another interesting note. The Texans and Ravens were the only teams who entered the playoffs allowing more points than they scored over their final four games.

The Ravens were a -1.7 and the Texans were a -4 during that span.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I have a completely different opinion about this. The Broncos will have to play the Playoff experienced Ravens.

If the Ravens should be victorious they will have to come to Foxboro for the AFCCG.

If as I think, they lose to the Broncos, the Denver team will still be beat up having played the tough Ravens. Their Bumps and Bruises will make the Broncos more vulnerable.

 

[mgcolby]

I have a completely different opinion about this. The Broncos will have to play the Playoff experienced Ravens.

If the Ravens should be victorious they will have to come to Foxboro for the AFCCG.

If as I think, they lose to the Broncos, the Denver team will still be beat up having played the tough Ravens. Their Bumps and Bruises will make the Broncos more vulnerable.

I was just about to post the exact same thing. We either get the Ravens (which I am leaning towards) or as you stated a Broncos team that is hurting.

 

[Bhelmet]

I hope these Ravens "beat up" the Broncos a bit. A nice physical D game would be nice.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

put me in the category of those happy to see houston. honestly, i would hate to play a ravens team that is playing confident right now. the ravens have played the patriots tough before and no matter what their record says they come to play hard. they have receivers our DBs would have a tough time matching up against. good luck denver.

 

[Brady2Gronk]

I just hope we beat the Texans first.

 

[Ring 6]

put me in the category of those happy to see houston. honestly, i would hate to play a ravens team that is playing confident right now. the ravens have played the patriots tough before and no matter what their record says they come to play hard. they have receivers our DBs would have a tough time matching up against. good luck denver.

How are the Ravens playing confident? They lost 4 of 5 before today then won at home against a team that was 1-15 last year.
I think that is about the lowest level of justification of confidence a team still alive at this point could have.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

How are the Ravens playing confident? They lost 4 of 5 before today then won at home against a team that was 1-15 last year.
I think that is about the lowest level of justification of confidence a team still alive at this point could have.

Ravens didn't look that good today although they kept the Colts out of the endzone. Should they pull off a win in Denver and the Pats win their game you can bet they'll be coming into Foxboro with some swagger.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

How are the Ravens playing confident? They lost 4 of 5 before today then won at home against a team that was 1-15 last year.
I think that is about the lowest level of justification of confidence a team still alive at this point could have.

i disagree. what happened last month doesn't matter. the ravens clearly played confidently today. all you need is one game to regain that swagger.

 

[Bhelmet]

Swagger only goes so far. I saw nothing today that would have me worried about Baltimore - on either side of the ball.

 

[NewFeep]

I like the idea of the playoff tested, experienced Ravens beating up the Broncos physically, especially Peyton. If NE plays the way they should at home I think it will be a comfortable win over Houston. Say 10 points or more.....

As an aside: I would love to see JJ Watt in a Patriots jersey!!