On to Houston....

[Pats1989]

What are the Texans strengths? Weaknesses to exploit? I expect us to win by at least 14....

 

[Dorito Dink]

Keys to the game:

1. Show Up

2. Double Clowney

3. ...

4. Profit.

 

[borg]

"On to Houston" .....you beat me by 4 minutes.

May the Steelers and Chiefs beat the living crap out each other

 

[SaCaCh]

Don't shoot ourselves in the foot. Never let them think they are in the game.

 

[PatriotSpy]

I wouldn't overlook this team since they have a really good defense. If we win the turnover battle we win. Their passing defense is better than their rushing defense. I expect alot of closed formations and some power football. Throw a bunch of looks at Osweiler and keep everything in front. Don't let him burn you with the deep balls.

 

[BobDigital]

Yep. This is not going to be competitive.

 

[jimnance]

Keys to the game:

1. Show Up

2. Double Clowney

3. ...

4. Profit.

Your list is too long. 1. by itself will suffice.

 

[Pessimistic Pete]

What are you guys thinking the line will be on this one?

I'm guessing Patriots -14 to 16

 

[Minitron]

I wouldn't overlook this team since they have a really good defense. If we win the turnover battle we win. Their passing defense is better than their rushing defense. I expect alot of closed formations and some power football. Throw a bunch of looks at Osweiler and keep everything in front. Don't let him burn you with the deep balls.

Agree with everything you said. Those deep balls almost never happen against the Pats because of D-MAC. I suppose they put Ryan on Fuller with D-MAC over the top and Butler on Hopkins.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Keys to the game: Patriots play up to just their nominal potential and don't commit multiple TOs/kill their own drives/penalties will equal a game not competitive by the 4th quarter.

'Any given Sunday' not withstanding, for a single elimination second round PO game this matchup is a real + for the Patriots. Even better, on the other side Pitt and KC will probably be beating the crap out of each other. While Pitt will win they'll be a bit tenderized by time of AFCCG.
As of right now the landscape for the road to the SB is shaping up as a ++ for the Patriots. They just need to play to potential: solid run stopping, competitive pass coverage, potent passing game/good protection, Blount and Lewis run game.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I wouldn't overlook this team since they have a really good defense. If we win the turnover battle we win. Their passing defense is better than their rushing defense. I expect alot of closed formations and some power football. Throw a bunch of looks at Osweiler and keep everything in front. Don't let him burn you with the deep balls.

Agreed with everything except that last point. Brock's splits show that he hasn't exactly been great at the deep ball. In fact, anything 11+ yards looks pretty mediocre, 8 TDs vs. 14 INTs.

In the 21-30 pass range, he does have 4 TDs vs. 1 INT, but he's also only completed 23% of those passes, 7 in total.

Pretty much everything has been close to the LOS.

Brock Osweiler

It's not to say he can't chuck a few deep balls. Hopkins and Fuller are deep threats, but nothing suggests Osweiler is going to consistently challenge DMac.

 

[PaulNEPats]

42-7 pats. Add 14 points to the demolishing if they resurrect the letterman jackets for this one.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

Keys to the game:

1. Show Up

2. Double Clowney

3. ...

4. Profit.

Yout don't have faith that Cannon can win his matchup with clowney?

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

Keys to the game: Patriots play up to just their nominal potential and don't commit multiple TOs/kill their own drives/penalties will equal a game not competitive by the 4th quarter.

'Any given Sunday' not withstanding, for a single elimination second round PO game this matchup is a real + for the Patriots. Even better, on the other side Pitt and KC will probably be beating the crap out of each other. While Pitt will win they'll be a bit tenderized by time of AFCCG.
As of right now the landscape for the road to the SB is shaping up as a ++ for the Patriots. They just need to play to potential: solid run stopping, competitive pass coverage, potent passing game/good protection, Blount and Lewis run game.

KC can beat pittsburgh. It will be a good game.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

KC can beat pittsburgh. It will be a good game.

I believe KC has shown enough to believe they are tough -- especially true at home. But I firmly believe Pitt will win this based on Pitt's ability to step it up a notch in the POs while I have my doubts about KC's ability to do so.
We shall see...

 

[doesntmatter1]

Agree with everything you said. Those deep balls almost never happen against the Pats because of D-MAC. I suppose they put Ryan on Fuller with D-MAC over the top and Butler on Hopkins.

Logan Ryan has basically shut down Hopkins twice already. Earlier this year and once last year. Besides, you don't really want Ryan to have to deal with the pure speed Fuller has.

 

[kennyb]

If Osweiler is on, it could get dicey. Even average qbs carve our secondary up.

 

[Pats1989]

If Osweiler is on, it could get dicey. Even average qbs carve our secondary up.

Yepp. If the Texans do win, than it will be worse than the Jets loss. Would be the most embarrassing loss in Patriots playoff history.

 

[Boston Boxer]

Don't shoot ourselves in the foot. Never let them think they are in the game.

exactly. Watching yesterdays game they came in fairly unimpressive until they started doing some things and they got confidence. They normally get off the bus thinking they will lose...they are a better team when they have a chance to be in the game. They have a great D

 

[OhExaulted1]

Will be fitting for Wilfork's last game to be in Foxboro.