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

[Ring 6]

Both NE and Houston will have extra motivation today as the winner is going to win the AFC. This game is going to be intense.

Both teams are too well coached to be looking ahead like that or dismissing an opponent.

 

[stcjones]

This will be Maye's toughest test as an NFL pro. Ball security, taking the points, and the run game is critical to winning.

McDaniels needs to do something about the OL. Nothing else matters if the OL is a disaster.

Good points ….if OL plays like last week it will be a long painful and unproductive day for Maye and Pats and yes McD needs to make much better adjustments and play calls and more creative

 

[Guts]

Using Bleach and anime references?

Yeah Texans my team if they beat us

 

[raduray]

So who does the snow favor?

 

[PatsfanTN]

So who does the snow favor?

The offense, either way.

 

[Ring 6]

This will be Maye's toughest test as an NFL pro. Ball security, taking the points, and the run game is critical to winning.

McDaniels needs to do something about the OL. Nothing else matters if the OL is a disaster.

Maye is going to have a great game.
Here is something to watch. Their pass rush is going to help us. One of the best things Maye does is climb the pocket or escape the pocket to extend plays AND keep his eyes downfield. Them of course he is the most accurate downfield thrower I’ve ever seen.
Against the heavy zone scheme once he extends the plays there will vrviorn receivers.
The other thing that Maye is exceptional at is 3rd and long. This means we don’t need to fear sacks on early downs and can be aggressive.

Drake Maye is better than the Texans defense.

 

[PatsfanTN]

Maye is going to have a great game.
Here is something to watch. Their pass rush is going to help us. One of the best things Maye does is climb the pocket or escape the pocket to extend plays AND keep his eyes downfield. Them of course he is the most accurate downfield thrower I’ve ever seen.
Against the heavy zone scheme once he extends the plays there will vrviorn receivers.
The other thing that Maye is exceptional at is 3rd and long. This means we don’t need to fear sacks on early downs and can be aggressive.

Drake Maye is better than the Texans defense.

We are going to live or die by Maye getting rid of the ball fast or hanging onto it too long. I fully guarantee you that Vrabel had them practicing quick plays all week. Dink and dunk until they have to respect it, then take shots.

 

[Toofy]

Hard disagree. We need to preserve these open stadiums. Hell I even wish we had real grass in Gillette still. The dome esthetic gets so bland and tiring. Every stadium will look the same.

I am in the southern states and we have a dome stadium and it's fun not to worry about weather . Again since I am not someone who appreciates the cold weather a lot , my opinion is based on that . Not sure if people will continue to flock to stadiums in Terrible weather conditions down the line . I understand the historic aspect and behavior of baby, boomers,millennials and Gen x , but I am not too sure if the same will hold good for future generations who have different preferences ( for instance they started to shun theaters for comfort of home and streaming )

Again since owners make most money on TV rights , the stadium really doesn't matter much I guess .

 

[PatsfanTN]

On a broadcast from Foxboro, Some dude just walked behind the reporter in shorts. Come on man, what going on with the weather up there?? Do better!

 

[Gumby]

One of the best beers I've ever had. Drank several right at the Andechs Monastery. Is that being imported into the States now?

I live in Germany. Local drink market stocks 7 Andechs brews.

I have found it in one restaurant in USA somewhere ( can’t remember). One of those w 100 beers on menu. I drank local fresh specialities as I didn’t trust how long German stuff would have been on boat & shelf.

 

[Ross12]

Using Bleach and anime references?

Yeah Texans my team if they beat us

Wait until Drake Maye unleashes his Bankai in the 4th quarter.

 

[Triumph]

And what position does Jesus play?

He is in the HOF, but Moses plays RT.

Ever since he made the Pats starting line up events have occurred that have been favorable for the Pats. Lately - Bills are gone, Nix is gone, Snow is bad for Texas, Collins out, Gonzo in. Its been like this all season.

Trust in Moses.

 

[Guts]

Wait until Drake Maye unleashes his Bankai in the 4th quarter.

Drake "Drake Maye" Kurosaki

 

[Toofy]

Wait until Drake Maye unleashes his Bankai in the 4th quarter.

Bleach ... Gives away most of our ages I guess ... Mid 30s to early 40s

 

[Triumph]

As of right now it'll be moderate snowfall around 5pm in Foxboro so 4th quarter could be interesting.

Another FG through the snow for the W.

 

[reflexblue]

So who does the snow favor?

The offense. The offense knows where its going, the defense doesn't and has to try and adjust. Changing direction on a slippery surface is harder and takes more energy

 

[Ross12]

There are some interesting parallels to this Pats team and the '01 Pats, potentially.

- 2nd year QB having a breakout season
- Big turnaround after having 5 or fewer wins the prior year
- 2000 and 2024 Pats both finished last in their division and then won the division in 2001/2025
- Both achieved the #2 seed in the AFC
- Both had a snow game in the divisional round ('01 vs Oakland; '25 vs Houston)
- Both would be underdogs against a juggernaut in the Super Bowl (assuming Seattle is the opponent)
- The offensive scheme is still the same, just evolved over time under McDaniels
- Vrabel himself was on that 2001 Pats team as a player, and now is on this 2025 team as the HC

Very interesting stuff here.

 

[Mack Herron]

Soon….

 

[NFL Mystique]

The offense. The offense knows where its going, the defense doesn't and has to try and adjust. Changing direction on a slippery surface is harder and takes more energy

This would favor the Patriots. Maye>Stroud (Though reddit NFL thinks they are equals). Lastly, limiting the Texans defense is a huge advantage for the Patriots.

 

[Ross12]

Bleach ... Gives away most of our ages I guess ... Mid 30s to early 40s

Yep. I am mid 30s. Bleach was my jam back in the day. I need to see the Thousand Year Blood War they came out with recently still. On the to-do list.