Patriots Pregame Thread Pre-Game - Divisional Round Texans at Patriots

[Mack Herron]

 

[XLIX]

People are losing their ****ing minds regarding Houston's defense.

They are very good. They are NOT historically good. They are NOT the '85 Bears.

They aren't even #1 in the League this year in points allowed. So let's slow our rolls, mediots.

 

[dliverey44]

If I’m JMD, I’m calling lots of play action, bootlegs, rollouts, options, and designed QB runs to get Maye running the ball out in space. Stretch the defensive line horizontally.

I might also sprinkle in some weird-as-**** plays because Houston is a “we do what we do” defense, and they may not be prepared to adjust to a bizarre look on the fly. We know Josh has some calls in his back pocket that are not something you would see every day.

I love the fact that Maye has the ability to make changes depending on the pre snap look. The fact that the Texans are not known for disguising formations tells me that Maye will have the ability to identify middle of the field open or closed which each provide opportunities.

Josh can call whatever play but I have confidence that Maye can move them into the right play based on pre snap look. Drake is also smart enough to ID coverage post snap(cover 2,3 4, etc). I would love to see some spread on offense rather than bunch looks that we give a lot. I really think this game can go either way.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Josh Allen era ends today.
I would love a potential Pats home game next weekend but Josh will most likely not finish this game today...

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I think the fans are definitely into it maybe even more so than the Brady years. I think the fans in the stadium got a little too complacent during those years.

But a big thing is that they closed the open end of the stadium. Gillette was really poorly designed in terms of crowd noise. The stands are farther back than most stadiums and the open end of the stadium allowed a lot of the crowd noise to dissipate. If you look at the loudest stadiums, the stands are stacked high close to the field and the stadium is really tall and enclosed, some with a roof.

Boston Garden was the best, you could be on the upper level, and still be looking right down. Gillette is horrible if you are way up, players look like Ants.
Closing off the end probably did help.

 

[n1997y]

Sith Lord Vrabel activates his new apprentice Leonard Taylor III

Big game queued up for the newby

 

[Ring 6]

I am not sure snow favors the Patriots. Maye is still untested in snow. He did struggle with rain in the past. And Stroud played at OSU. So he is used to playing in snow.

We should be careful what we ask for on this.

THE Ohio State University very rarely plays a game in the snow. I don’t remember Stroud playing a single snow game. Not many cold weather games either since the relay season ends thanksgiving weekend.
He is from Southern California.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

So Taylor adds some to the pass-rush rotation - our new "line-change" philosophy that keeps the rushers fresh.. Not just added for the intel.

Not many players get cut and immediately get to play against their old team in the playoffs. He's going to have a little extra "this will show you!" juice.

Edit: As others have pointed out, this is the wrong Taylor. Leonard not Darrell.

 

[n1997y]

Thats how i look at it whenever going on vacation or something, mostly pay attention to where its trending. Certainly appears it will be snowy.

Hafta think that favors us. Even if Drake isn’t used to it, the pass rush will be affected and that is bigtime advantage ne. If the qbs still struggle we have the better run game. The only way it wouldn’t is if stroud somehow adjusts considerably better and outplays maye by a big margin, not seeing that especially without nico

And lust like a vacation when weather goes bad by Q4 the Texans will just wanna go home.

 

[Mack Herron]

So Taylor adds some to the pass-rush rotation - our new "line-change" philosophy that keeps the rushers fresh.. Not just added for the intel.

Not many players get cut and immediately get to play against their old team in the playoffs. He's going to have a little extra "this will show you!" juice.

Wrong Taylor. (Darrell not activated)

 

[n1997y]

So Taylor adds some to the pass-rush rotation - our new "line-change" philosophy that keeps the rushers fresh.. Not just added for the intel.

Not many players get cut and immediately get to play against their old team in the playoffs. He's going to have a little extra "this will show you!" juice.

Wrong Taylor. That’s Darrell not Leonard. I made the same mistake.

Leonard is a Jete castoff. UDFA last season. Waived this year, mid-October. Signed to Pats PS two days later.

Has played in 19 games, 14 last year and 2 early this season with the Jets, elevated by Patriots for 3 games against the Bills (wk 15), Jets, Phins.

 

[dliverey44]

Sith Lord Vrabel activates his new apprentice Leonard Taylor III

Big game queued up for the newby

Leonard Taylor has been here awhile. Darrell Taylor is the new guy

 

[Ring 6]

I love the fact that Maye has the ability to make changes depending on the pre snap look. The fact that the Texans are not known for disguising formations tells me that Maye will have the ability to identify middle of the field open or closed which each provide opportunities.

Josh can call whatever play but I have confidence that Maye can move them into the right play based on pre snap look. Drake is also smart enough to ID coverage post snap(cover 2,3 4, etc). I would love to see some spread on offense rather than bunch looks that we give a lot. I really think this game can go either way.

Patriots are winning this game by more than a TD. Book it

 

[dliverey44]

Patriots are winning this game by more than a TD. Book it

I hope you are right. I want you to be right

 

[gtfanboy]

I am feeling strangely confident as well. I think the Pats fot their playoff jitters out of the way last week. They will crack the Houston defense.

 

[Ring 6]

I hope you are right. I want you to be right

Houston’s defense is going to pay for their pass rush flushing Maye out of the pocket and extending plays.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Last home game of the year.

Let's show these guys the appreciation they've earned. This is one of the hardest working Patriots teams we've been spoiled with.

They have two hard road games ahead of them, let's show the love.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

Last home game of the year.

Let's show these guys the appreciation they've earned. This is one of the hardest working Patriots teams we've been spoiled with.

They have two hard road games ahead of them, let's show the love.

Buffalo's loss will make tomorrow's atmosphere electric. Last home game of the season for our boys. I am screaming from kickoff til finish. I won't be able to speak all Monday

 

[patchick]

People are losing their ****ing minds regarding Houston's defense.

They are very good. They are NOT historically good. They are NOT the '85 Bears.

They aren't even #1 in the League this year in points allowed. So let's slow our rolls, mediots.

I don't disagree, but with all this talk about the '85 Bears...one thing often forgotten is that they also had the league's #1 rushing offense. That meant a lot of long, slow offensive drives and fewer total possessions, which held down scoring numbers.

Anyway, even if the Texans were the '85 Bears, Drake Maye is definitely no Tony Eason!

 

[NFL Mystique]

The loser of this game will go through the entire offseason with "what if" hanging over them. The SB is in reach for the winner. Chances like this do not come around often.