“We understand we have to play probably the best game of the season to actually be able to hang with them”. However, the Cowboys responded with a three-touchdown fourth quarter to win the game. With Brock Osweiler under center, Hopkins is primed to continue to be heavily targeted as he was during the regular season. None of the eight teams still standing are the same as they were in September and October – which makes the divisional round even juicier. By doing that, the Pats would nearly guarantee he won’t sustain enough long drives to keep pace with Tom Brady.
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The Texans defense finished the season as the top-rated squad in the NFL. Now like most, I do not really see the Texans as having much of a chance to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this Saturday. Brown is back and Houston will be better for it- but it might not be enough to save the Texans. However, some experts and fans are holding out hope of a Texans upset, given Houston’s tight defense and good performance in recent games. “And that’s what we have come to expect from them all year”. Schaub eventually helped bring the team its first playoff berth, yet he was injured again before reaping the benefits. If Osweiler struggles, however, Savage could replace him during the game as well. Obviously they’re able to do a lot of things with protections. No one on their offense has been unstoppable this year, but who needs offense when you have that Kansas City defense. “I suppose we will find out just how much fight this group has in them when they go up against a good Patriots front seven this weekend”. Failing to convert that into anything close to a championship is why they’re not regarded as much at all. Their last divisional round loss was in 2010 against the New York Jets. Not only will Seattle be without the 12s on the road, but they’re also without Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas to anchor the defense this time around. The franchise sported future hall-of-famers like Warren Moon and Earl Campbell, among others. It was especially painful for the Falcons as they were the top seed in the NFC in the post season after a fantastic 12-4 season under Leeman Bennett, including nine wins in a row.
Overall, New England has won five straight games over Houston by a 171-79 margin.
The Patriots will be facing a familiar opponent in Saturday’s playoff game in Foxboro.
Primetime Sunday night football at its best.
More will be required of Osweiler if the Texans are to do the unimaginable. It was Jacoby Brissett. Osweiler will be put in uncomfortable downs and distances often against the Patriots’ pass rush.
“The Texans just might be in position to pull off one of the biggest upsets in National Football League playoff history”. Their 23 TDs were tied with the four-win Rams for the fewest in the league, and they had a dozen fewer end zone trips than anyone in the AFC playoff field.
Prediction: Patriots 38 – Texans 14.
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So the Pats have to take away the easy stuff that is created to keep Osweiler comfortable.
