Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

I think he is the x factor for them. Pats at home vs TE's are horrendous...I think he will play a big part if they want to win this one but who covers him?

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

He's one of the Texans' two legitimate receiving threats. They'll find a way to slow him down, at least on paper. My bigger concern is how they'll do of covering him on playaction.

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

Mix it up of course, but maybe a lot of 3-3-5 sub packages:

RDE: Jones
NT: Wilfork
LDE: Ninkovich

LB: Mayo - Spikes - Hightower

LCB: Talib
RCB: Dennard
RS: McCourty
LS: Gregory
3rd S: Chung/Wilson

I think that package gives you a lot of flexibility against the Texans. Put Chung or Wilson and/or Mayo on Daniels.Keep Spikes in for run support (along with the extra safety). Hightower can put his hand in the dirt if necessary.

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

No matter how much posters disagree, Arrington is our #5 defensive back, our nickel back. I expect Arrington to get many more reps than Chung or Wilson.

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

"Good jams! Good jams!"

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

If his 'X factor' is that potent, who covers him will be markedly irrelevant. I don;t know that we have the personnel over the middle to perform the task you are concerned about. Ultimately he is going to make catches over the middle and keep the chains moving a bunch of times. But the Patriots will win not because we can largely shut down receiving weapons such as Daniels, the Patriots will win because we generally slow down their offense just enough to outscore them with our better offense. And, again IMHO, slowing them down/getting off the field on third down will happen because we contain their run game, cause enough third downs to be longer than 5 or 6 yards, get some pressure on Schaub here and there, and minimize the long plays-make them have to get a lot of third downs on each drive-let their own mistakes cause a sufficient amount of FGs/punts.

As much as I would like to see a semi dominant defensive performance, I don't have a lot of faith in that happening. The Texans are the best team in the AFC (by record). The Patriots are third best in the AFC (by record). A 35 to 31 victory because we slowed their O down just enough is more than enough to overlook Daniels having 10 catches :D

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

They're a good running team that only throws the ball to two WRs. All of their other passes go to TEs and backs. No disrespect to Arrington, it's just a matchup thing.

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

I think ESPN had him as their #1 TE for fantasy football picks this weekend.

If that means anything that they think he is going to feast on Pats secondary.

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

becasue the pats have give up the most fantasy points to TEs at home this year...away they are much better

re: Owen Daniels - the X factor for Houston vs Pats
 

But what's the difference in their ability to cover TEs on the road and at home. Seems like a coincidence to me.