Pats/Houston It's Psychological

supafly said:

No way that Belichick turns down the opportunity to have the ball in back to back possessions to end the 1st half and then start the 2nd half.

That part of the 60 minute game is extremely precious, and can dictate the momentum for the rest of the game. It can also allow you to get back into the game if you are down at that point.

Belichick will likely defer 100/100 times, unless he'd rather have the wind advantage instead, etc.

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Exactly. No way BB passes up the score-go into halftime-score possibility except in very extenuating circumstances.
I think the better question is what the Texans do if they win the coin flip? Likely they also defer but I don't know their philosophy/2012 history of deferring.....

gmtaxi27 said:

I still believe we will win, but I think this will be a real tough game for us. Tougher than many here believe.

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Kubiak will have to be highly innovative to have any shot at confusing the Pats on either side of the ball. I don't see it. I see the opposite especially with Gronk on the field. Can Arian Foster win this game against a pretty good front seven who has him figured out? Not without great innovation along the OL, etc. I just don't see it happening.

goheels22002 said:

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Get a lead, stop Foster, keep the chains moving and make Schaub beat you. Just like last time.
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Even Google Translate is wise to Schaub:

goheels22002 said:

It's not psychological. It's about making first downs, tiring out the Texans defense, and stopping Arian Foster who was the Texans offense against the Bengals.

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They didn't just lose and they aren't just haunted by a loss. They were dismantled and exposed. They had hope ripped away and stomped in the turf. They were shown the door to the 2012 season.

They know it, and we know they know it, and they know that we know that they know it.

Sure they will delude themselves a bit to get the game going in hopes that a miracle happens, but deep down past all the adrenaline and hype lives their truth: They were owned, not just beaten.

moejr said:

Assuming we get to the AFCCG it will be in Denver and that has never been a favorable venue for the Pats. Not going to be the cakewalk some people think.

We have to get past Houston first. Personally I would rather face baltimore or Indy than Denver.

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I think its easy to assume BAL is the toughest opponent, they have played well in 3 straight postseasons and always match up well with us. I don't see how DEN and HOU comes close to a threat, record never matters at this point.

AndyJohnson said:

Well of course you want the AFCCG at home. But if you are going on the road, I'm good going against a D that has been our bltch lately.

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Interesting question is which game gives us the better shot? It may be in Denver. Never saw a good defense that matched up so badly with our offense. You can't turn those outside pass rushers into inside threats. With Gronk/Hooman, Vollmer and Solder manning the outside I just don't see the big deal. Brady plays the outside pressure like a great violin.

What happened last game will be used to motivate the Texans. It will cause them to give 110% effort. Don't be thinking that one or two scores is going to make them roll in a ball and scream 'no more'! It's going to be a brawl, I am looking forward to it!

Patstopia said:

What happened last game will be used to motivate the Texans. It will cause them to give 110% effort. Don't be thinking that one or two scores is going to make them roll in a ball and scream 'no more'! It's going to be a brawl, I am looking forward to it!

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Didn't they give 110% during the regular season game? I mean at least that's how they were talking leading up to the game, that it was the biggest game of their franchise, even showed up in their varsity jackets.

Well if the rest of the Texans think the way Foster is, they are thinking that the last game that it wasn't the Pats that beat them, it was themselves.

He just basically said that on NFL Today.

Yep, that's it Mr. Foster; that loss was not because of the Patriots doing anything right, it was all strictly because you and you're team didn't play well.



The Houston Texans wanted the New England Patriots, and now they got 'em | masslive.com

moejr said:

Assuming we get to the AFCCG it will be in Denver and that has never been a favorable venue for the Pats. Not going to be the cakewalk some people think.

We have to get past Houston first. Personally I would rather face baltimore or Indy than Denver.

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No one says that if NE and Denver meet,it will be a cakewalk for the Pats.

In fact when Manning and Brady meet its almost always a 3 point game or so.

However,I do think the Broncos are overrated because they beat virtually no one all season except maybe the Ravens (Bungles are always wimps against better teams).......and when it comes to that 7-1 home record I am not shaking in my boots,in regards to their home wins,not ONE of those teams made the playoffs and only one team,the Steelers actually made it to .500,the Broncos and Manning have to prove they can beat someone at home.

IMO,A NE/Den game will not be decided until late in the 4th quarter,but first both teams have to get there

As I said earlier,I believe whoever wins the NE Houston game will be the AFC rep in the Super Bowl......Denver needs to show me more to respect them as a serious contender for a championship like many others already do.

Houston keeps forgetting that Gronk wasn't playing in their first meeting. They can't double team Wes and leave Gronk open. BIG DILEMMA for Houston's Defense. Pats have too many offensive weapons for Houston to handle.

If Pats win turnover battle, it won't even be close.

Dutchmaster617 said:

I think its easy to assume BAL is the toughest opponent, they have played well in 3 straight postseasons and always match up well with us. I don't see how DEN and HOU comes close to a threat, record never matters at this point.

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Yeah, those Ravens that lost 4 of their last 5 games really scare me.

PatsGuy said:

Assuming that Hoston pulls this game out and travels to Foxboro. It was what? about a month ago that they were beaten down?? I listened to the Houston Radio station the next day and they too were confused and had self doubt. That's why i'd go against conventional wisdom!. If the Pats win the coin flip i'd receive and not defer. Starting off, Houston will be doubting themselves. They're an outstanding football team but after what happened last month, you would not be human if you didn't wonder; "will it happen again" ? The Pats have the best offence in football. Putting points on the board the opening drive only accentuates the nagging fears of the Texans which in turn becomes a growing snowball and ending in a Pats victory!!

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The Pats are a better team, I thought that before they played the game last month. However that beat down we gave them might be a tad miss telling. Everything kind of went are way in that game including Donte Stallworth getting behind the defense and making an outstanding catch after really not playing much this year. This game will be more competitive than last month. I am thinking like 35-24 depending on the weather. Close going into the 4th quarter.

PatsGuy said:

Assuming that Hoston pulls this game out and travels to Foxboro. It was what? about a month ago that they were beaten down?? I listened to the Houston Radio station the next day and they too were confused and had self doubt. That's why i'd go against conventional wisdom!. If the Pats win the coin flip i'd receive and not defer. Starting off, Houston will be doubting themselves. They're an outstanding football team but after what happened last month, you would not be human if you didn't wonder; "will it happen again" ? The Pats have the best offence in football. Putting points on the board the opening drive only accentuates the nagging fears of the Texans which in turn becomes a growing snowball and ending in a Pats victory!!

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Last time we won the toss and didn't defer Brady blew out his knee against KC.

deroc5050 said:

The Pats are a better team, I thought that before they played the game last month. However that beat down we gave them might be a tad miss telling. Everything kind of went are way in that game including Donte Stallworth getting behind the defense and making an outstanding catch after really not playing much this year. This game will be more competitive than last month. I am thinking like 35-24 depending on the weather. Close going into the 4th quarter.

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I agree. We win, but it will be nip and tuck all game. I'm thinking 38-28, something like that.

QB12 said:

Last time we won the toss and didn't defer Brady blew out his knee against KC.

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If I recall correctly, he blew out his knee midway through the first. Not on the first drive.

So why would not deferring the ball relate to Brady blowing his knee out?

I'm only pointing out that I've heard on the TV broadcasts that the Patriots and perhaps BB himself have made that association.

supafly said:

No way that Belichick turns down the opportunity to have the ball in back to back possessions to end the 1st half and then start the 2nd half.

That part of the 60 minute game is extremely precious, and can dictate the momentum for the rest of the game. It can also allow you to get back into the game if you are down at that point.

Belichick will likely defer 100/100 times, unless he'd rather have the wind advantage instead, etc.

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This!

It's that much more psychologically damaging if they get the ball first and can't score then fall behind knowing the Pats get the ball to start the second half.

QB12 said:

Last time we won the toss and didn't defer Brady blew out his knee against KC.

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I'm pretty sure BB isn't superstitious.