Patriots Pre-Game Thread

[Keith]

To get you ready for what the Texans can expect from the Boston mindset this week...

The 2012-13 Texans? Pure frauds. The worst 11-1 team in the history of the NFL. These Texans have absolutely zero chance of beating New England here next week. And everybody knows that this is true. ...

The great J.J. Watt was a zero in that game. Then he was unavailable for comment after the game. Houston’s ever-overmatched defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, was scratching his head, perhaps wondering why his guys were unable to cover all those Patriots wide receivers. ...

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...tIL/story.html

[chuck]

"Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at dshaughnessy@globe.com."

[HPF Bob]

Patriots always do seem like they have 13 players on the field.

[WMH]

Me and 2 buddies are aiming for some punishment. We have just booked our trip to Foxboro....

Hope its fun.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Patriots always do seem like they have 13 players on the field.

They do! 11 players in football uniforms and the line judge and field judge....

Originally Posted by WMH

Me and 2 buddies are aiming for some punishment. We have just booked our trip to Foxboro....

Hope its fun.

Wow, that is cool. I think we all would like a full report when you get back...

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From what I hear and read, Shaughnessy is a bit of a pot stirrer unliked by even Bostonians. He's got us talking so mission accomplished... The article would make good bulletin board material in the Texans locker room...

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Honestly, the Pats are not some invincible machine. To hear this writer and even some of our fans speak, we shouldn't even show up. They've got weaknesses - not as many as your average team, but they are there nonetheless. They (Patriots) were razor sharp in the first meeting - the Texans were on their 3rd road game in a row. I do not believe the Texans have put a total game together yet this year where offense, defense and special teams all were clicking at high efficiency (possibly the Baltimore game but that's it) - next Sunday would be a good time to start. I truly expect a different game than was the MNF debacle...

[Keith]

Revenge + Underestimation is a nasty combination to face in a football opponent. Certainly understandable why the Patriots may be overconfident (and to remember this writer's opinions are not necessarily those of the team), but the Texans should enter this game feeling like they have nothing to lose. No one expects them to win. Don't play so tight.

The Texans put a little too much pressure of themselves last time (Thanks Dre for calling it 'the most important game in team history', which it wasn't), and they probably faced a team who wanted it more than them. Couple that with a couple funky bounces (like the fumble recovery Kareem missed and that forced fumble from the defense that the Pats recovered in the endzone for a TD), and this is not the mismatch it may seem. And we also wonder how much of the offensive playbook Kubiak employed...

The Texans need to (a) get to Brady by only rushing four. Blitzing great QBs like Brady, Rodgers, and Manning will not work. They can do this if they not only get the effort from J.J. Watt, but they also need guys like Antonio Smith and Connor Barwin to play like champions. And, more obviously, they also (b) need to keep this from becoming a track meet. Lastly, (c) they need to take an early lead, stetching the field from the start.

[nunusguy]

And whatever you do guys, please don't wear those hokie "Letterman sweaters" up to NE this trip.

[Nconroe]

I think Texans showed they can play with intensiity and focus to win in playoffs.

If they control both sides of line of scrimmage like they did Saturday they can play with and beat any team.

All the underdog talk should help Texans and if Pats are celebrating early that is even better.