Patriots Pre-Game Thread

[today]

I just re-watched the first half of our first game with the Pats, pausing at different points in the middle of plays and assessing assignments. I'm a lot more confident in our ability to win this game because I don't think we make a lot of these mistakes again:

1. Pats got 3 3rd down conversions by penalty
2. Harris/Gardner missed 6-7 assignments that blew up plays
3. We dropped key passes
4. Schaub made several poor reads trying to force the ball to Andre
5. Our LBs were awful in coverage
6. JJo got beat a few times in coverage (coming off the groin issue)
7. Quin bit on a play action (leading to wide open TD pass).

I'm hoping that we correct all of the above problems, but I still expect Newton to miss a couple of assignments, and I expect that our LBs will still have major trouble in coverage.

Foster ran the ball well IMO, and with Newton in there to cut down on the RT mistakes, I bet we'll see Arian have at least 120 yards and be north of 4 yds/carry.

GO TEXANS!!!!!

[WMH]

If Phillips goes mostly man again, I hope that Quin has the type of game he did against the Bungles. He was all over Gresham. Did a real good job. Will be interesting to see if the Quin/Manning combo can contain those TE's.

Biggest thing I see is being able to get a rush from the front 4. Watt will be Watt, but the Ninja and the edges need to show up big too.

On O, I really hope Graham passes his concussion test on Saturday, and is able to go. NE's LB's can be abused. I also look for further develop/involvement from Posey. At the beginning of the year, I sure didn't see much, but he has come along really well. Talib will likely be shadowing AJ, which will leave the TE's and WR2/3 as prominent options.

Hope, hope, hope.

Keep it alive.

Any. Given. Sunday.

[Arky]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

Cool. One of the ESPN "experts" actually gave the Texans a vote....

[HPF Bob]

Weather Underground's forecast as of Friday morning for Sunday in Foxboro:

"Mostly cloudy. Fog early. High of 52F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of rain 20%."

So damp but not too cold. Not windy. It ought to be good "football weather" for a playoff game.

[Keith]

On the surface that weather report sounds like good news for the Texans, but honestly I think their chances would improve with uglier weather. Anything that would limit the aerial attack of the Patriots would really help to negate their potential to score in bunches.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by Keith

On the surface that weather report sounds like good news for the Texans, but honestly I think their chances would improve with uglier weather. Anything that would limit the aerial attack of the Patriots would really help to negate their potential to put of scores in bunches.

i would vote for a torrential downpour if i could.

[barrett]

I just saw Herm Edwards and Christian Fauria (I believe) outside Foxboro with some ESPN anchors making picks. They were reasonable about the game and all expected a closer score but still a Patriots win.

Then they pointed out that if both games turned out as picked, then we "all" get what we "all" want (Manning vs Brady). At this point they all started grinning and high fiving themselves at the thought of it.

I love a great matchup as much as the next guy, but I seriously hope that parade is rained on and everyone has to watch our boring Houston Texans for at least another week.