The Upcoming NE Game

[HPF Bob]

People will think Denver will win easily however the Broncos have won only twice in their last nine games (one of which was a thrashing of KC at Arrowhead) but Denver has a 3-0 division record on the road this year and yet 0-2 at home. Wouldn't shock me at all to see them lose, especially if the Chiefs hang around for three quarters. Matt Cassel, in particular, has something to prove.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

People will think Denver will win easily however the Broncos have won only twice in their last nine games (one of which was a thrashing of KC at Arrowhead) but Denver has a 3-0 division record on the road this year and yet 0-2 at home. Wouldn't shock me at all to see them lose, especially if the Chiefs hang around for three quarters. Matt Cassel, in particular, has something to prove.

I agree, Bob. It was my impression that the Denver game was probably our safest bet out of the three. But, I've learned that when my expectations are that much more radically different than Vegas', the fault usually lies within my reasoning rather than their's.

[Big Texas]

I think the biggest issue here is going to be Kubiak vs. Bilichick. Both teams are very similar. The only problem here is that one coach is one of the most winning-est coaches of this decade while the other has shown that he can be completely confused at times.

Kubiak needs to come out with 2-3 different game plans. He also needs to be able to ADJUST at the half. Something he has not done all season. The key to this game is ADJUST, ADJUST, ADJUST.

Also it is sad to say but we have nobody to hold Randy Moss-at the corner or safety. So we definitely cannot have mental lapses by whomever is playing the FS. Whether it be Busing or Barber.

We cannot let a cerebral QB like Brady just sit back and destroy us. We need our probowlers to step up this game.

[HPF Bob]

It should be noted that the Broncos, under Shanahan/Kubiak were one of the toughest teams for Belichick's Patriots to beat over the years, including a playoff game several years ago when the Patriot dynasty was close to cemented.

This defense isn't really up to Belichick's normal standards but I don't think our wounded Texans are up to the ability of the old Broncos to run the ball either.

I have to believe New England is the better team going into this. Like last week in Miami, the Texans have to show up in a playoff mindset and jump to an early lead. That will make Houston more confident and make New England focus on staying healthy for the coming week when it really counts.

[NBT]

What...........? The Texans adjust? Unheard of! I think Baby Shan comes out with a good first half game plan, but no idea what to do the second half. JMHO

[Big Texas]

Originally Posted by NBT

What...........? The Texans adjust? Unheard of! I think Baby Shan comes out with a good first half game plan, but no idea what to do the second half. JMHO

Exactly my point. At some point Kyle or Kubiak (whomever) needs to realize that this is the pros. No team (not even Detroit) is gonna let you just whoop up on them ALL game long with the SAME game plan. At the half they will review what you have been doing and try to stop it.

For some odd reason Kyle or Kubiak (again whomever) seems to think otherwise. They consistently start the 3rd qtr with the same ol bag of tricks. Then you have situations like last game where you put up a goose egg for much of the second half. Barely getting 3 points out of the second half.

Belichick will definitely make the adjustments. Its up to us to be prepared for those adjustments. But the fact that they haven't done it all year is what makes me think that we will get beat. I am just gonna leave it right there. Who knows whats gonna happen.

[Arky]

The Texans are the biggest choke artists in the NFL.

This is the worst spread in NFL history.

Wow, the dude over at walterfootball.com is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Can't say I share his love for hyperbole... At any rate, he makes some good points and likes New England 24-20. Here's the full jist of his comments:

NEW ENGLAND OFFENSE: This line would seem to indicate that the Patriots won't be playing their starters, but that's hardly the case; I'll discuss this further in the recap, but Bill Belichick said that no healthy starters will be rested this week.

I expect to see Tom Brady playing for at least three quarters. Brady finally looked healthy for the first time in about a month last week, going 23-of-26 for 267 yards and four touchdowns. You may argue that those numbers were a byproduct of Jacksonville's horrific defense, and I couldn't dispute that. However, Houston's secondary isn't very good either.

The Texans really excel at stopping the run, so don't expect as many long Sammy Morris runs this week. Still, I can't see Houston's defense having much success as long as Brady is in the game.

HOUSTON OFFENSE: Speaking of poor secondaries, New England's has had its share of embarrassment in that area this year. However, it's worth noting that the Patriots just completely shut down David Garrard, so perhaps their defensive backfield has improved.

Having said that, it's pretty difficult to contain Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The Patriots don't have the pass rush to get to Schaub, who has taken just one sack in the past three weeks. Schaub will have all the time in the world to torch New England's secondary.

Like the Patriots, Houston's ground attack won't be much of a factor. I have no faith in Arian Foster, and New England stops the run pretty well.

RECAP: In 2005, the Patriots were locked into the No. 4 seed. Brady and the starters played only one quarter against the Dolphins in Week 17, ultimately losing, 28-26 to a hot Miami squad that had ripped off six straight victories (but finished at 9-7). That was the Doug Flutie drop kick game.

However, just one year later, New England was the No. 4 seed again, but had a chance to move up to No. 3 with an Indianapolis loss. The Patriots played the Titans, who needed a victory to get into the playoffs. In that contest, Brady played three quarters, beating Tennessee, 40-23.

This game seems a lot like the 2006 iteration. The Patriots are currently No. 3 but could move down to No. 4 with a loss and a Cincinnati win. You may wonder what the difference between those seeds are. Think about it this way: If New England is the top-seeded team remaining come the AFC Championship - a very likely scenario if they beat San Diego; the Colts have given up - they would host the Bengals. If the Patriots lose this contest, they'd have to travel to Cincinnati instead for the AFC title game.

This is the worst spread in NFL history. The assumption is that this game means nothing to the Patriots, which is dead wrong. That's exactly why Belichick said his healthy starters would play.

But what about the Texans? Don't they need a victory more than New England? Of course they do. And that's exactly why I love the Pats here. The Texans are the biggest choke artists in the NFL. How are they going to win this game, let alone cover a touchdown? I don't get it.

I'm strongly considering this as my January NFL Pick of the Month. I'll make my decision later in the week.

[HPF Bob]

So, when the Texans had great comebacks at Tennessee and at Arizona, that wasn't making halftime adjustments? When they beat up Cincinnati and Buffalo in the second half, there were no halftime adjustments there either?