The Houston Texans will host the New England Patriots on Sunday in a game that suddenly has become important for both teams, although it is clearly more important for the home team. The Texans need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive following a disappointing loss in Buffalo last Sunday that gave the Bills the potential tiebreaker for a wild card spot and also allowed teams like the Jets, who the Texans own the tiebreaker over, pass them in the standings. New England also suffered a disappointing loss to the Eagles in Foxboro that was filled with luck for the visiting team, or I guess you could say skill but depends on who you are talking to. Philadephia scored three non-offensive touchdowns, including an extremely rare red zone interception by Tom Brady that was returned 100 yards for a score.
For Texans’ fans, playing the Patriots brings back terrible memories of letterman jackets and subsequent blowout losses that sent Houston on a downward spiral that culminated with a 2-14 season, and resulted in having to begin the search anew for a viable option at quarterback, a search that still continues to this day.
For the Texans to win, they are going to have to control the clock and avoid turnovers, and most importantly get pressure on the quarterback. Alfred Blue, who was called for THREE special teams penalties(left the backfield too early on punts- I can honestly admit that I did not know that was a rule), needs to have a big game in order to put this team in short yardage situations on 2nd and 3rd down. If he can’t perform, look for Chris “Chicken and Shrimp” Polk to play a significant amount of snaps, as well as Jonathan Grimes.
If you give Tom Brady time to find an open receiver, it will be very difficult to get him off the field, but if you pressure him, perhaps you can force a rare interception, or get sacks that kill long drives that the Patriots thrive on. So Jadeveon Clowney has to build on arguably his best game as a pro and continue to get better, and JJ Watt needs to bounce back from a disappointing performance that saw him get double teamed regularly. The dark horse for Houston is Whitney Mercilus who is having a great season. These three need to take advantage of perhaps the only obvious weakness of the Patriots which is their offensive line, a group that has been decimated by injuries.
I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be a close game.
Due to a weak offensive line, I think the Texans will consistently get pressure on Brady, and in turn will keep this a close game.
Patriots-24
Texans– 21