(Poll): Preferred divisional opponent: Texans, Chargers, or Ravens? edit: Sun Jan 13 @1:05 PM

[102 Pat]

Might want to change the title, it's 2 sundays from now. I'm semi surprised the Pats aren't playing the saturday night game. I'm relieved it's not the early saturday game as I have to work till about 8pm that night.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Texans seem to be the runaway choice. It would be a rematch, so both teams would have easier game plan prep, presumably

 

[PatsFan2]

Ravens would be bad match up for this D no thanks. They run it very well both from the QB and RB position and they can play some D too. I would prefer the Texans we would match up much better with them on D. Texans Offense hurting at WR 2 we could make them somewhat one dimensional.

 

[Uptown]

Whoever!!! We’re trying to win the SB. Take ALL comers.











I’d rather not face the Ravens D.

 

[FCB02062]

1 pm, ugh, daughter has basketball game at 4.. hope the Reddit streams are working!

 

[A Defiant Goose]

Texans because I think Baltimore and LA both stand a good chance of knocking out that fraud in KC

 

[JPsPats]

Right now, Ravens. We struggle vs QBs who can run AND pass. Lamar is still really raw as a passer and Baltimore knows that so it will mostly be runs and bootleg passes. If our D can’t stop that then we probably don’t deserve to move on.

It would be the most humiliating loss of the 3 teams though, especially when BB worked out Jackson and showed interest in him before the draft.

 

[Redman443]

Chargers. It’s been 12 years since we’ve seen a rivers-brady playoff game

 

[Foxypats]

I am actually thinking the Ravens. I wanted Houston but the Patriots actually match up well with the Ravens. And facing a rookie QB , I like our odds.

 

[ohiopatsfan]

If the #3 and #4 seeds win their wild card games, as I think they will, it will be Houston. I also feel the Ravens have a strong enough defense to beat KC, making it a Pats-Ravens match up at Gillette for the right to go to the SB. I have always been leary of the Ravens' defense, but I like our chances at home. Today's game, albeit against a weak and injured Jets team, was the first time in a while that the Pats played a strong game on both sides of the ball for a full 60 minutes.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

If the #3 and #4 seeds win their wild card games, as I think they will, it will be Houston. I also feel the Ravens have a strong enough defense to beat KC, making it a Pats-Ravens match up at Gillette for the right to go to the SB. I have always been leary of the Ravens' defense, but I like our chances at home. Today's game, albeit against a weak and injured Jets team, was the first time in a while that the Pats played a strong game on both sides of the ball for a full 60 minutes.

It would be great to beat the Ravens in the AFCCG, which could possibly be Harbaugh's last game as their HC. A great way to send him out.

 

[BobDigital]

To me it i the Texans for a few reasons.

Chargers - The most talented and complete team of the bunch. Also 7-1 on the road. They have an experienced QB and RBs that can catch out of the backfield which always concerns me with our slow LBs. Their offensive line has been solid and our DL has had a lot of trouble getting pressure against good OLs this year. Their pass rush can be pretty sick and they don't have a true defensive weakness to attack. Derwin James has been a monster this year for them. Overall a tough opponent.

Ravens - The Ravens are always tough to play. The Pats don't do well vs running QBs and Jackson really runs. We don't have any single LB who can stick with him. We need to just contain and force him to pass while covering for 5-6 seconds. I hate that but there is no choice. Luckily they don't have a RB or TE that can catch much or a WR we need to worry about for that matter. It is all about stopping Jackson from running on defense. On offense Brady usually has trouble vs this D and they are one of the best again this year. The only thing I will say is that I think he has an easier time this go round. They remind me a lot of 'blitzberg'. I look at them and their CBs don't seem as good as their defensive passer rating suggest they should be. I think if you deal with their pressure you can expose their secondary a bit. Not that it is bad. Just not great. Still I don't like playing the Ravens.

Texans - They are a lot like the Ravens except their D isn't as good. They have better WRs but I like our offense vs good WRs as long as they don't have any good pass catching RBs. The Texans don't. They have a QB who can run but there aren't any tomato cans in the playoffs in the AFC this year and all the teams here are pretty good. I am happy to lean on our coverage and see what happens in this game. As for our offense the Texans defense isn't something the Pats ever seem to have issues with and I will continue to bet on that. Hopefully we get to face this team as I like this match up in our house.

 

[Ring 6]

I don’t care who we face in the divisional round, I just want the Chiefs to have the toughest matchup possible

I think that means we face Houston because the only way we don’t is if Indy beats them. Indy isn’t the toughest matchup for kc.

 

[Ring 6]

It would be great to beat the Ravens in the AFCCG, which could possibly be Harbaugh's last game as their HC. A great way to send him out.

If he gets to the afccg he won’t be fired.
Pretty sure if he goes 1 and done he wont be fired.

 

[brdmaverick]

NFL should do away with the 1 pm starts. After all, playoff games are special. Sunday at 1 doesn’t feel special. Playoff games need to be under the lights.

 

[supafly]

Would anyone truly be shocked to see Indy go to Houston and beat them? Haven’t the Colts gone like, 9-1 since their 1-5 start? Plus it’s a divisional game so anything goes.

 

[MoreBellhorn]

Houston, please. Always do well against them. I feel like it would be a blowout. I want nothing to do with Baltimore.

 

[bigballas]

texans Divisional , then Ravens AFCC...or texans then chargers that all seems fun

 

[slash83]

Can’t see a rookie qb that struggles to throw the football coming to town making his playoff debut beating NE. But any given Sunday I guess.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

I want it to be the Texans but won't be shocked if it's the Ravens.

Texans 34-31 Colts and Colts 24-21 Texans this year, feel like that could go either way, this is the first year in a while where you can genuinely make a case for all 4 wildcard games to go either way, there isn't one where a team will be more than a one score favorite.